Supporters' group abandon Cheltenham protest

Representatives of the Manchester United supporters’ group at the centre of a planned demonstration at the Cheltenham Festival have abandoned their protest.

The move by United4Action comes in the wake of Alex Ferguson’s personal plea for fans opposed to the involvement of John Magnier and JP McManus at Old Trafford to refrain from any sort of protest at what he described as racing’s equivalent of the FA Cup final.

Sean Murphy, co-founder of United4Action, told the Racing Post: “In view of the statement and personal request made by Sir Alex Ferguson, United4Action wish to announce that we are postponing our planned racecourse protest at the Cheltenham Festival on March 18.

““United4Action call on all those fans who pledged support to our protest to listen to Alex’s request, and at all times act in a manner befitting our great club’s global standing.”

However, he added: “United4Action want to make it clear, the postponement of the Cheltenham Festival protest is just that, a postponement. Should Mr Magnier and Mr McManus continue to disrupt our football club, we will fight on and we will never give in.

“We have provisional plans to organise protests throughout the the Flat and sales seasons in the UK and Ireland.”