' Tickets blow for away fans in the Premier League '
Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:25 am
Ticket blow for Manchester United fans as police raise fear of trouble ahead of Tottenham Hotspur clash
Mike Keegan
January 19, 2013
United’s ticket allocation for this weekend’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur will remain reduced – after GMP reported bad behaviour of Reds to police counterparts in London.
United travel to White Hart Lane on Sunday and will be followed by 1,800 fans – 800 fewer than most other visiting clubs.
That reduction will be kept in place for the fourth season in a row after trouble at recent away matches led to the force writing to their colleagues in the capital.
Spurs had been considering handing over the full allocation following good behaviour by United fans at last season’s match.
But documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws show that Haringey council, in conjunction with Tottenham, decided to keep the restrictions in place.
They had contemplated handing over the full allocation of 2,600 if the Reds sent 12 of their own stewards and letters to fans warning them to behave when the issue was first raised.
But at a later meeting it was noted that some sections of United’s support had thrown bottles onto the field of play, set off flares and persistently stood in upper tiers at matches away from Old Trafford.
The documents, obtained by fans’ website Reds Away, also show that police reports from Reds trips to Chelsea and Newcastle United were ‘not favourable’.
And it also emerged that GMP were so concerned by behaviour of some supporters that they wrote to the Metropolitan Police to tell them that they had been causing problems.
An email from Norwich City’s safety officer condemning the actions of some Reds fans was also read at the meeting and the decision was taken not to increase the allocation.
Reds Away editor Dale Haslam believes the details he obtained can be used to United’s benefit.
He said: “It is disappointing United fans missed an opportunity to increase our allocation, but I fully understand that clubs and councils have to put safety first, as they are the ones held responsible if things go wrong.
“Now United fans’ groups such as MUST and IMUSA can set about looking at ways of addressing the safety issues.
“But ultimately, it’s up to our fans. Whether they choose to behave is up to them.”
Mike Keegan
January 19, 2013
United’s ticket allocation for this weekend’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur will remain reduced – after GMP reported bad behaviour of Reds to police counterparts in London.
United travel to White Hart Lane on Sunday and will be followed by 1,800 fans – 800 fewer than most other visiting clubs.
That reduction will be kept in place for the fourth season in a row after trouble at recent away matches led to the force writing to their colleagues in the capital.
Spurs had been considering handing over the full allocation following good behaviour by United fans at last season’s match.
But documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws show that Haringey council, in conjunction with Tottenham, decided to keep the restrictions in place.
They had contemplated handing over the full allocation of 2,600 if the Reds sent 12 of their own stewards and letters to fans warning them to behave when the issue was first raised.
But at a later meeting it was noted that some sections of United’s support had thrown bottles onto the field of play, set off flares and persistently stood in upper tiers at matches away from Old Trafford.
The documents, obtained by fans’ website Reds Away, also show that police reports from Reds trips to Chelsea and Newcastle United were ‘not favourable’.
And it also emerged that GMP were so concerned by behaviour of some supporters that they wrote to the Metropolitan Police to tell them that they had been causing problems.
An email from Norwich City’s safety officer condemning the actions of some Reds fans was also read at the meeting and the decision was taken not to increase the allocation.
Reds Away editor Dale Haslam believes the details he obtained can be used to United’s benefit.
He said: “It is disappointing United fans missed an opportunity to increase our allocation, but I fully understand that clubs and councils have to put safety first, as they are the ones held responsible if things go wrong.
“Now United fans’ groups such as MUST and IMUSA can set about looking at ways of addressing the safety issues.
“But ultimately, it’s up to our fans. Whether they choose to behave is up to them.”
Re: ' Tickets blow for away fans in the Premier League '
Sun Jan 20, 2013 10:43 am
United fans will never change they've been doing it since the 70s , but what does concern me is with our reputation how are we going to be welcomed at away grounds in the premiership if/when we get there 
Re: ' Tickets blow for away fans in the Premier League '
Sun Jan 20, 2013 2:30 pm
I've been to this fixture twice. Once in home end and once in away and utd cause murder there. They literally do what they want. I'm not surprised its reduced
Re: ' Tickets blow for away fans in the Premier League '
Sun Jan 20, 2013 2:36 pm
Despite all this the mass media still wont condemn United for having a hooligan problem. I wonder why? 