United fans hit Glazer with US gambling probe

Malcolm Glazer has been asked by National Football League officials to explain Manchester United’s links to a casino, it emerged last night.

The dramatic development came on the day pressure group Shareholders United (SU) posted a statement to NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue pointing out the club’s gambling connections.

The NFL prohibits team owners from holding an ownership interest in a casino and bars and all teams and league personnel from having any promotional arrangements with gambling establishments.

Together with leading hotel, entertainment and gaming company Las Vegas Sands Corp, United hope to build a luxury five-star hotel, restaurants, health club, sports bar and a regional casino on the Trafford Park side of the ground.

Should the complex go ahead it would appear to put Glazer – who released his offer document for United yesterday – at odds with the NFL, who are holding their spring meeting in Washington.

SU have been in the vanguard of opposition to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers owner’s takeover of the club – he currently owns over 76% of the shares.

In a statement to Tagliabue, SU’s American representative JD Deitch stated: “Manchester United has more than just a passive relationship with gambling and gaming.

“It is and has been very active in this regard and has plans to become much more active in the future.

“As such, it is our view that these arrangements clearly conflict with Mr Glazer’s position as an NFL franchise owner.”

However, it is understood the NFL were not concerned about Glazer owning a Premiership club as well as one in the NFL – and the level of debt he has accrued in investing in United.