Friday, February 27, 2004
FERGUSON TELLS FANS NOT TO PROTEST
Sir Alex Ferguson, the manager of Manchester United football club, today asked supporters to call off their planned protest at Cheltenham Racecourse on Thursday, March 18.
Supporters have been planning a demonstration on the final day of the three-day Cheltenham Festival in support Ferguson's on-going dispute with Coolmore Stud’s John Magnier over income from the stallion Rock Of Gibraltar and the possibility of a takeover of Manchester United by Magnier and his Irish business partner JP McManus whose company Cubic Expression owns 29 per cent of the soccer club’s shares.
“The Cheltenham Festival is a classic meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar, which people from all over the world and all walks of life come to enjoy," said Ferguson in a statement this morning.
“It is effectively the equivalent of the FA Cup final to horse racing fans and I would not wish this special festival to be marred in any way.
“I am therefore asking supporters to refrain from any form of protest and am strongly opposed to any violent, unlawful or disruptive behaviour which may reflect badly on the club and its supporters in general.”
A peaceful protest was being planned by various supporters’ groups to take place around the time of the bonusprint.com Stayers' Hurdle on March 18 - the McManus-owned Baracouda is the hot favourite to record a third successive victory in that championship race.
Ferguson added: “My current dispute with John Magnier is a private matter not involving the club and its supporters and I am concerned first and foremost to protect and serve the best interests and further success of the club
.
“I wish to express my real appreciation for the support which I have always received from supporters in the 17 years I have been with the club and re-affirm my complete commitment to furthering the interests of the club.”
For old articles (from 1st March 2000) go to the Newslink
Archive
|
