Athletic Bilbao and Manchester United continue to be at loggerheads over the treatment of 4,000 Bilbao fans in the Spanish side’s second leg defeat at Old Trafford earlier this month.
That’s according to AS, who say Bilbao are pinning the blame on Manchester United’s head of security.
They explain that some 4,000 Bilbao fans who travelled to Old Trafford ended up being ejected from the stadium for the game. Several were ‘insulted and punched’ while a handful of fans were denied entry after buying tickets in the home end, some valued at more than €400.
Athletic have issued a statement about the matter, insisting that such issues lie with Manchester United head of security and not themselves of UEFA.
They also state that as soon as they were made aware of issues, they moved to clarify matters and defend their fans. They went to various parts of Old Trafford to obtain firsthand information and tried to intervene with Manchester United’s security officials.
They were unsuccessful on this front. The Spanish side also maintain that they informed the UEFA security delegate of everything that was happening.
After receiving all the relevant testimonials, the Bilbao club sent an initial communication to Manchester United early Tuesday morning requesting clarification.
Manchester United have responded that they and UEFA require complete separation of fans and only United fans can buy tickets in the home areas. They warned that tickets should not be bought outside official channels and if this occurs, they have the power to eject those in contravention.
Athletic acknowledges this but believes that Manchester United’s power ‘may have been misused’ and have therefore informed UEFA of the situation.
It’s a dispute that threatens to rumble on, with neither side backing down and Bilbao seemingly determined to prove that they and their fans have been wronged by Manchester United.
