carlyluvsunited
23-01-2008, 07:39 AM
Gill unshaken but now anti-Glazer protestors target AIG
David Gill, the Manchester United chief executive, has spoken of his dismay after
his house was vandalised by supporters protesting about his alliance with
Malcolm Glazer's family. "Judas Gill" was among the slogans daubed in red paint
and Gill's anger was exacerbated last night when he discovered that the
perpetrators had also targeted AIG, the club's main sponsor.
The latest attack, which occurred on Monday night while United were playing Al
Hilal in a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia, took place at the AIG offices in
Deansgate, Manchester. Gill's house in Bowdon, Greater Manchester, was
targeted last week - and, worryingly for United, there have been warnings of
more attacks to come.
"It's the first time I've been affected in this particular way," said Gill. "I wouldn't
say I was shaken, but you do think about your family, and it isn't nice. I've been
clear all along that there will always be people who are opposed to the takeover
of the club. They will never change, they have been consistent in their views and
concerns and will continue to express them, but it's a question of how they
express them. There is way of doing things in the right manner without resorting
to criminality."
AIG was targeted after angering some United fans by advertising its logo on a
large banner of the Busby Babes that has been erected outside Old Trafford to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster on February 6. The
reasons for Gill being targeted, however, are more complex, with many fans
feeling let down by the manner in which he abandoned their attempt to fight the
Glazers' takeover. Gill had initially been outspoken in his opposition but then
aligned himself to the Americans when it became obvious they had the financial
muscle to move into power, and he has subsequently criticised the protesters he
once supported.
"I don't think anyone could assume all this had gone away because if you were
interviewing these people today they would be as adamant now, and as clear in
their views, as they were back then," Gill said. "They will always have their views
and be very dogmatic about it. We're not going to prove these people wrong
because they will always believe they are right."
The police are investigating the attack on Gill's property, which occurred while
nobody was there. "You just get on with it," he continued. "It is what it is. You
get on with your life. It's not nice for the family. It's not dignified, but it is what it
is, we have cleared it up and moved on."
He is dismayed, however, that newspapers were tipped off about the paint
attacks within hours. "It's bizarre," said Gill. "But you will have to ask the people
who did it because it's not the world in which I operate. It's clearly been done for
a reason. We cleaned up the walls pretty quickly but I suppose they have not
achieved their purpose unless they get some publicity. We move on - it's more of
a concern for my family, really."
The Football Association will not be taking any action against Sir Alex Ferguson
after Reading fans complained he had made offensive gestures during Saturday's
win at the Madejski Stadium. It was felt that the Manchester United manager
was responding to taunts by the home fans - but he claimed he was celebrating
his side's 2-0 win, which kept the team at the top of the Premier League.
Today the Football Association said it will not be taking any action after studying
video evidence and consulting the fourth official at the game.
www.guardian.co.uk
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discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
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David Gill, the Manchester United chief executive, has spoken of his dismay after
his house was vandalised by supporters protesting about his alliance with
Malcolm Glazer's family. "Judas Gill" was among the slogans daubed in red paint
and Gill's anger was exacerbated last night when he discovered that the
perpetrators had also targeted AIG, the club's main sponsor.
The latest attack, which occurred on Monday night while United were playing Al
Hilal in a mid-season friendly in Saudi Arabia, took place at the AIG offices in
Deansgate, Manchester. Gill's house in Bowdon, Greater Manchester, was
targeted last week - and, worryingly for United, there have been warnings of
more attacks to come.
"It's the first time I've been affected in this particular way," said Gill. "I wouldn't
say I was shaken, but you do think about your family, and it isn't nice. I've been
clear all along that there will always be people who are opposed to the takeover
of the club. They will never change, they have been consistent in their views and
concerns and will continue to express them, but it's a question of how they
express them. There is way of doing things in the right manner without resorting
to criminality."
AIG was targeted after angering some United fans by advertising its logo on a
large banner of the Busby Babes that has been erected outside Old Trafford to
commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Munich air disaster on February 6. The
reasons for Gill being targeted, however, are more complex, with many fans
feeling let down by the manner in which he abandoned their attempt to fight the
Glazers' takeover. Gill had initially been outspoken in his opposition but then
aligned himself to the Americans when it became obvious they had the financial
muscle to move into power, and he has subsequently criticised the protesters he
once supported.
"I don't think anyone could assume all this had gone away because if you were
interviewing these people today they would be as adamant now, and as clear in
their views, as they were back then," Gill said. "They will always have their views
and be very dogmatic about it. We're not going to prove these people wrong
because they will always believe they are right."
The police are investigating the attack on Gill's property, which occurred while
nobody was there. "You just get on with it," he continued. "It is what it is. You
get on with your life. It's not nice for the family. It's not dignified, but it is what it
is, we have cleared it up and moved on."
He is dismayed, however, that newspapers were tipped off about the paint
attacks within hours. "It's bizarre," said Gill. "But you will have to ask the people
who did it because it's not the world in which I operate. It's clearly been done for
a reason. We cleaned up the walls pretty quickly but I suppose they have not
achieved their purpose unless they get some publicity. We move on - it's more of
a concern for my family, really."
The Football Association will not be taking any action against Sir Alex Ferguson
after Reading fans complained he had made offensive gestures during Saturday's
win at the Madejski Stadium. It was felt that the Manchester United manager
was responding to taunts by the home fans - but he claimed he was celebrating
his side's 2-0 win, which kept the team at the top of the Premier League.
Today the Football Association said it will not be taking any action after studying
video evidence and consulting the fourth official at the game.
www.guardian.co.uk
Click below to join manutdtalk.com forums to read and
discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php