IMUSA News Feed

Thanks David

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Fifty nine percent of United fans considering giving up their season tickets

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Virign Money's latest survey shows that 15% plan to give up going to games entirely while another 44% will only buy tickets when it suits them

Manchester United continue to propagate the myth of a substantial waiting list but this is belied by the gaps in the crowd, where matches rarely sell out these days, and their latest emailing advertising campaign trying to persuade people to become One-United members again, with the promise of priority access to season tickets.

Malcolm Clarke, Chairman of the Football Supporters� Federation, commented:

�Shamefully Manchester United was the only Premier League club that put up their prices for the current season. Every other club froze or reduced them. They also sold Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid. Huge numbers of United fans are in open revolt against the Glazer family�s huge cash drain on the club. They�re paying the price for the leveraged buy-out in 2005 that has loaded a massive �700 million debt onto United�s books. The Glazer regime has put up ticket prices by half in less than five years. No wonder almost six out of 10 Old Trafford season ticket holders are thinking of not renewing.�

Football Fans� Census interviewed a representative sample of 3,896 football fans between 5th and 11 February 2010

For further information
Grant Bather, Virgin Money
0207 111 1012
Grant.Bather@virginmoney.com

Fan thrown out of MUTV for wearing Green and Gold

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MUTV, the club's own TV station runs a weekly programme called 'Red Cafe' where fans are invited to give their views.

The paranoia in the club sparked off by the Green and Gold Campaign reached a new low yesterday when a local lifelong fan was thrown out of the studio during the filming of this programme for wearing a green and gold scarf

The fan, Steve Tilzey was quoted in The Daily Mail as saying

'This is censorship. It's symbolic of what is happening at the club and it is bang out of order. It's like being told to leave by the secret police or the Stasi. But this isn't Tianaman Square, it's a peaceful protest.'

We agree;

Since the start of the Green and Gold campaign just a few weeks ago, IMUSA has been contacted by many fans aggressively thrown out for no more than singing inoffensive anti-Glazer songs

In one case this involved an 11 year old fourth generation Red who was thrown out along with his Dad and both their season tickets were confiscated (as has been very common for fans finding themselves in this situation).

We have seen fans searched at the turnstiles for Green and Gold articles of clothing and executive members refused entry to the facilities they have paid a premium price for, for wearing these scarves.

The "Love United, Hate Glazer" flag violently confiscated by CES stewards at our game against Burnley on 16th January has still not been returned in spite of numerous requests by IMUSA acting on behalf of the fans that own it and a complaint being made to the Premier League.

Last Sunday 'Police State' Old Trafford was exported to Wembley and fans showing protest banners (but not others) saw their flags torn down and attempts to confiscate them made by CES and Manchester United staff.

We would like to believe Sir Alex when he says

'Everyone is entitled to their opinion and to express disapproval if they don't like what they see around them.'

but this is proving difficult for even his most ardent supporters when they see this policy of suppression being so aggressively enforced by the CES stewards working at the club

and his continued endorsement of this company.

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Glazer whine

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A senior member of the Glazer family has complained personally to Lloyd Blankfein, chief executive of Goldman Sachs, about the conduct of the bank's chief economist Jim O'Neill.

Paul Kelso, Chief Sports Reporter, Daily Telegraph 03 Mar 2010

Sources with knowledge of the conversation confirmed to The Daily Telegraph that the Glazers contacted Mr Blankfein in late January after Mr O'Neill was highly critical of their ownership of Manchester United.

Mr O'Neill is the principle figure behind the Red Knight's Group, a consortium that this week announced plans to try to buy Manchester United from the Glazers.

Goldman Sachs was one of the underwriters of the club's recent �507m bond issue, earning a share of �15m in fees, and the family was outraged when Mr O'Neill criticised their heavily-leveraged ownership model shortly after the bond closed.

Asked for his opinion of the bond at the end of January Mr O'Neill said: "There's too much leverage going on with Manchester United, it's not a good thing, I'm not a buyer of the bond. I value my long-term support for Manchester United."

The Glazers were so incensed at Mr O'Neill's intervention that they complained directly to Mr Blankfein. His response is not known, but Mr O'Neill has not backed off from his view of the Glazers.

Goldman Sachs declined to comment.

Arf!

Keith Harris tempts fans with golden share

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IMUSA has made its support for any bid conditional on the new owners agreeing to engage with the fans as meaningful stakeholders in the club.

We therefore wish to make it clear that we welcome the following report and that we are available to talk more about this with Mr Harris at his earliest convenience (comms@imusa.org).
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Ian Ridley
The Mail
27th February 2010

Manchester United supporters will be offered a 'golden share' in the club so they can approve or veto future owners should a group of investors seeking to wrest control of the club from the Glazer family succeed.

The 'Love United Hate Glazer' green-and-yellow scarf protest is likely to confront the American owners at the Carling Cup final between United and Aston Villa at Wembley today, if they belatedly choose to attend, and the pressure on the Americans will increase with this carrot being dangled to fans.

Keith Harris, United fan and a stockbroker with Seymour Pierce, has been assembling a group of investors, along with other well-connected Old Trafford devotees Jim O'Neill, of Goldman Sachs, and Phillip Marshall, of Marshall Wace. They say they have pledges of funds totalling �1billion to buy out the Glazers should they agree to sell.

The new group of owners would then negotiate with fans groups Independent Manchester United Supporters' Association and Manchester United Supporters' Trust to give them representation on the board and a 25.1 per cent shareholding. 'It will in effect be a golden share,' said a bid insider.

'It will mean that supporters will have a decisive say in the future on whether any possible new owners would be suitable or not.'

Harris, who brokered the deal for Roman Abramovich to take over Chelsea, and his group have had no indication from the Glazers that they are willing to deal but believe that, if dissent among fans escalates, the Florida-based family could relent.

As well as the scarf protest, more empty seats have appeared at Old Trafford as unrest grows.

Forthcoming Events

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On Saturday 27th Feb before their home game against North Ferriby United, FC United will host a supporters rally aimed at putting supporter ownership at the very centre of the debate on the future of the game. Alongside FC United speakers, guests will include Guardian journalist David Conn, representatives from Schalke FC and Supporters Direct. Two other high profile European sides have also been invited and we await their confirmation. It is also hoped that groups from English clubs affected by the escalating debt in the game, will be in attendance.12 noon at Gigg Lane Social Club, Bury - Free Entry

More details here
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Sit Down, Shut Up: Are Football Supporters Discriminated Against? is the FSF�s free Question Time-style debate and gives you, the match-going fan, your opportunity to tell it how you see it to our expert panel of football journalists, police, and solicitors. The event is free but registration is required, email your name to register@fsf.org.uk along with any questions you'd like to ask. All registered fans receive a free drink on arrival and non-FSF members are welcome. Vibe Bar, London, Thursday March 4th, 7pm.

More details here
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Temporary problem with PO box

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Can members and anyone else wanting to contact IMUSA via the mail please note that we are experiencing a temporary problem with our PO box

This is in hand and will be sorted within the next few days.

We are aware that some post has not reached us because of this.

If you have sent a letter to us but have not heard back please contact us via email (comms@imusa.org) to let us know.

'We do not prohibit peaceful protest'

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Update on the club's refusal to return the confiscated LUHG flag and the 11 year old 4th generation Red thrown out for singing inoffensive Anti-Glazer songs
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The club continues to refuse to return the LUHG flag confiscated at the match against Burnley on 16th January and is now refusing to continue the correspondence with IMUSA who have been acting on behalf of the flag's owners.

IMUSA has taken legal advice and this is now in the hands of our solicitors. A complaint to the Police may follow.

The club's correspondence with us about this has in any event been so rude and unprofessional that a complaint has already been lodged with the Premier League.
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Emails to IMUSA are treated as confidential but when an 11 year old fourth generation Red was thrown out for singing anti-Glazer songs that the whole ground were singing we asked if we could publish the details of this so that others could know how much of a lie the club stating that they 'do not prohibit peaceful protest' really is.

"On the 6th Feb 2010 I was attending the match with my son (11yrs) and was using season tickets belonging to my grandparents.

During the second half of the match I was approached by a steward who told me in an aggressive manner to "sit down and stop singing anti-glazer songs".

I did agree to sit down, although I questioned" why?" as I was exercising my right to freedom of speech.

Not long after this minor incident I was approached yet again by a different steward (wearing orange coat) who told me to follow him along with my son down to the concourse. It was here that he explained I had verbally abused the first steward that approached me and that my version of events was needed.

Once there both my son and I were forced to stand against a wall and felt immediately intimidated as we were surrounded by stewards. I denied any form of abuse towards any of the stewards, yet felt as though I could have been talking in a different language as no one wanted to listen to either my son or I.

I was then asked to produce my tickets for them to check. I obliged as I had nothing to hide.

My grandfather's ticket was then confiscated and we were told in no uncertain terms were not welcome back and to leave the premises. We left the ground immediately.

I am writing to let you know how infuriated I feel regarding this matter.I have been coming to Old Trafford for 30yrs and my son has been coming for the past 5. I feel totally let down considering the amount of money I have paid into Old Trafford.

Manchester United are a huge part of my life and I have followed them overseas on countless occasions.

I would like my grandfather's ticket to be returned so that they can watch the remaining games of the season.

I am NO thug and neither is my son
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At the time of writing the club have still not contacted this member, failing to fulfil a promise made to IMUSA that, in the absence of proper 'due process', they would contact all season ticket holders whose tickets had been confiscated to at least let them know what they needed to do to get their tickets back.
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Tony Lloyd calls for football to be regulated

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Early Day Motions are a way to raise awareness of an issue in Parliament
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All members are asked to write to their MPs asking them to sign this motion

If you are unclear as to who your MP is you will find this information here
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Link to Tony talking to this EDM in Parliament and showing his green and gold scarf here
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The Governance and Regulation of Professional Football

Early Day Motion 807

Tony Lloyd, Manchester Central

That this House recognises that professional football has become a major part of the modern way of life for millions of people; further recognises that its future has ramifications for individuals, communities and the nation; is aware that the state of the premier league and the professional game is causing concern; notes that self-regulation by the football authorities has often meant no regulation; further notes the widespread concern of club supporters, football journalists and financial commentators amongst others that the controlling interests in the clubs do not obviously demonstrate long-term commitment to the clubs involved and to the health of football in general; shares the concern of these groups about the level of debt and financial uncertainty which now affects certain clubs in all divisions; is further aware of the growing trend for public demonstration of unhappiness about these trends at clubs like Liverpool, Portsmouth and the recent Green and Gold campaign at Manchester United; believes the time has come for football fans to be given a tangible stake in the clubs they have helped build and still support; and calls on the Government and the football authorities to create a binding framework which will regulate club debt and those people who are involved in football, guarantee the protection of the consumer with rules for fair trading and protect the wider public interest by putting the supporter at the heart of the national game.