Bryan Robson was writing in his weekly column in The Daily Mail and compared the latest football protests over ‘The European Super League’ and the big clubs owners to ‘hooliganism in the 70s and 80s’
“I fully agree with the right to protest. We could all see a European Super League would not work, but I could not bear witnessing the ugly scenes I saw on May 2.
Look at the image of that injured policeman’s face. I’m all for the passion of Manchester United supporters — no one loves it more than me — but I can’t condone the aggressive behaviour of those who throw around bottles, cameras, rip up seat covers, swing on crossbars and then break into the dressing rooms, breaching Covid bubbles and putting people’s health and safety at risk.
Has the past year taught us nothing?
That had all the hallmarks of the hooliganism which marred our game in the 70s and 80s and there’s no place for it at United.
This club has a proud history. Its name is renowned around the world, it has an aura like no other and we need to protect that. We don’t want it tarnished by a mindless minority.
I was inside the stadium for five hours prior to the postponed Liverpool game as the protests built up and I saw how stewards and staff were frightened. It’s not their job to get into confrontations.
These are staff who are fanatical about their club, yet left frightened by their own supporters threatening to harm them. Even breaking into the training ground, what does that really achieve?”