Manchester United and Liverpool supporters have set aside their long-standing hostilities to come together by calling for tougher ownership rules for English clubs. The clubs’ two biggest fan representative groups have united to issue a rare joint statement urging government ministers to include a much more robust test for owners and directors test of football clubs in a forthcoming white paper. It follows months of talks between the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (Must) and Spirit of Shankly (SOS) and comes at a time when the current owners of both clubs are looking at potential sales.
Both United and Liverpool fans want greater influence going forward in how their clubs are run and better safeguards to prevent their and other clubs from falling into the hands of unfit owners.
The statement adds: "Manchester United and Liverpool fans are the most fierce rivals.
The Glazers and Fenway Sports Group (FSG), the respective owners of United and Liverpool, both had prominent roles in the plot. Protests by United fans ended up leading to the postponement of a Premier League game against Liverpool at Old Trafford the following month.