Foreign owners have never been more despised in England, and not even pulling out of the Super League could prevent Manchester United fans from burning an American flag in protest on Saturday.
Fan protests broke out across England this week after the announcement of the new European Super League, featuring five of the Premier League’s best teams and also Arsenal. So vehement were the demonstrations that the English clubs almost immediately decided to pull out of the nascent competition. But that didn’t halt the protests, as ire turned toward American owners seen as ruining the game.
On Friday, Arsenal fans gathered en masse outside of Emirates Stadium before the Gunners’ 1-0 defeat to Everton, calling for American Stan Kroenke to get out of their club. Similar protests were seen outside of Stamford Bridge, Old Trafford and Anfield throughout the week.
Manchester United fans broke into the club’s training grounds on Thursday. United supporters have been demanding “Glazers Out,” referring to the Glazer family’s ownership of the club, specifically co-chairmen Joel and Avram Glazer, the sons of the late American businessman Malcolm Glazer, who bought the club 15 years ago.
On Saturday, fans went a step further, burning the American flag during protests against the Glazers.
Man Utd Fans Burn American Flag
United fans burning an American flag outside Old Trafford today #GlazersOut pic.twitter.com/tWhnuV1Rgp
— UtdXclusive (@UtdXclusive) April 24, 2021
While seeing the Stars and Stripes in flames can be triggering for many Americans, it’s important to remember it’s not an illegal act even in the U.S., where it’s considered protected free speech. But that fact probably won’t stop Fox News from twisting the footage to fit whatever false narrative it wants to brainwash its viewers with.
Though by no means illegal, burning the American flag is a sign of just how incensed fans are with American owners right now. European soccer is historically an open competition, where any club can rise through the ranks to reach the top competitions. The Super League was a direct attack on that system, rewarding the rich clubs with a tournament that’s nearly entirely closed off to the rest of Europe.
While the outrage is understandable, it would be nice to see fans show this sort of anger over the continuous racial abuse of footballers. It’s clear where English football fans’ priorities are: American ownership is much worse to them than racism, which is pretty fucked up if you ask me.
