Greater Manchester Police have reported that they have arrested a man exhibiting superstitious and negative behavior in the stands of Old Trafford during the 1-1 draw between Manchester United and Burnley.
According to the police, a 44-year-old man engaged in chanting religious verses to mock the Munich air disaster on the Old Trafford stands last weekend. The incident came to the police’s attention after several videos of the man were rapidly shared on social media.
“We can confirm that we have charged Nathan Rawlinson (born on August 25, 1797, in Bacup, Lancashire) for breaching Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986. Currently, he is on temporary release. He was arrested towards the end of the match between Manchester United and Burnley on April 27. Rawlinson was apprehended in the away section of Old Trafford.”
Such negative chanting behavior is entirely prohibited, without exception. Those who violate this will be dealt with severely. The investigation and prosecution process against the suspect has begun with utmost fairness. All videos related to the incident will soon be removed from social media platforms,” stated Greater Manchester Police.
Old Trafford Stadium of Manchester United was cursed at the Burnley match. Photo: AFPOld Trafford Stadium of Manchester United was cursed at the Burnley match. Photo: AFPAfter the incident, Burnley was accused of hiring someone to curse Manchester United for a favorable outcome. However, the away team has denied these allegations and stated that they are actively cooperating with the authorities to resolve the matter. Burnley’s official website also released a statement expressing their strong disapproval of Nathan Rawlinson’s behavior. They will not tolerate any similar actions.
In August 2023, the UK’s prosecution authority enacted a law prohibiting the exploitation of tragic events to disseminate derogatory personal information. The prosecution authority stated that initial offenders could be banned from attending football grounds in the UK for life, followed by potential criminal proceedings if the incident has significant consequences. These individuals may be prohibited from attending any sports venues and will be monitored by local law enforcement.