Manchester United’s Executive Co-Chairman, Joel Glazer, has penned an emotional apology letter to the club’s fans, admitting that their involvement in the controversial European #SuperLeague was a mistake.
The Glazer family’s ownership of the club has been opposed by the fans since their controversial takeover in 2005 but the ‘Glazers Out’ protests were ignited by the ill-fated ESL move.
Thousands of United fans stormed Old Trafford last weekend and continue their protest against the Glazers when they invaded the pitch prior to the crucial clash against Liverpool, forcing the Premier League to call off the game.
Having caught his attention with the protests and a letter dated April 30, Glazer said he was “personally humbled” by the Forum members’ “heartfelt” letter explaining their anger over the #SuperLeague and made clear the club had to “become better listeners”.
However in a lengthy letter to the fans on Friday night, Glazer reiterated his family’s commitment to transform their sour relationship with the fans as well as invest more in the club to enable them compete for all necessary silverware.
“We have supported sustained investment in the team over many years, and that will continue this summer,” he said. “We recognise that we will need to significantly increase investment in Old Trafford and our training complex to ensure that the club’s facilities remain among the best in Europe,” he said.
He said the club wanted to work with the Forum “to come up with an ambitious package of measures which will transform our relationship with fans and strengthen the club for the long-term”.
He reiterated his apology “for the mistakes that were made” when we initially agreed to join 11 other leading European clubs in backing the new competition, before quickly withdrawing our support.
“I want to reassure you that my family and I care deeply about Manchester United and feel a profound sense of responsibility to protect and enhance its strength for the long-term, while respecting its values and traditions,” he said.
“Our top priority is, and will always be, competing for the most important trophies, playing entertaining football with a team comprised of top-quality recruits and some of the world’s best homegrown talent. Under Ole, we feel we are absolutely on the right track.”
“I want to acknowledge the need for change, with deeper consultation with you as our main fan representative body across a range of important issues, including the competitions we play in,” he said. “We also recognise the importance of fan and football interests being embedded in key decision-making processes at every level of the club, and we are open to constructive discussions on how to reinforce that principle.
“We remain committed to working with the wider football community to make the game stronger and more sustainable over the long-term, and we will now refocus our efforts on doing this within the existing structures of UEFA and the Premier League.”
