Footage that appears to show a police officer repeatedly punching a Manchester United fan as he lies on the ground having been arrested has emerged.
Man United supporters protesting against the club's ownership disrupted the Premier League fixture against Liverpool on Sunday, as fans made it onto the Old Trafford pitch. Kick-off was delayed before the game was eventually called off.
Protesters also clashed with police outside Manchester's Lowry Hotel and this is where the alleged incident between a fan and an officer took place.
Video taken outside the hotel shows a tense stand-off between police and protestors, before one young male is arrested. Dragged behind a police van, officers are heard yelling at him to "stop resisting".
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While three officers hold the man down, it appears as though one of them punches the man several times in his midsection.
The footage of the incident, filmed by bystanders and shared on the Manchester Evening News, is interrupted as officers usher people away from the scene. The officer can be heard shouting "get back now" to civilians.
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The person filming the incident replies: "No need to touch me, I'm getting back." The officer responds: "Do as I say," as the man backs away.
The protests against the club's unpopular Glazer owners, in the aftermath of the European Super League debacle, were largely peaceful. However police and some protesters clashed by outside Old Trafford, where a group of fans succeeded in gaining access to the ground.
Outside the Lowry, protestors were reportedly trying to demonstrate outside the Manchester United team hotel, when clashes with police occurred.
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An eyewitness told the Mirror: "There was quite a heavy police presence. They pushed the protesters back onto the main road to stop them coming down to the Lowry Hotel where the players were.
"It all went well up until the point the fans found out the game was off, which then it started to turn ugly towards the police, started throwing bottles, lighting smoke grenades."
Greater Manchester Police issued this statement to Mirror Sport: "We are aware of a video circulating online of officers making an arrest during a protest today (2 May) near the Lowry Hotel.
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"The video depicts officers arresting a 28-year-old male on suspicion of a theft from a motor vehicle and a public order offence. He currently remains in custody for questioning.
"GMP's Professional Standards Branch has been made aware of the video and will be examining the footage and all available evidence to understand the full circumstances surrounding the arrest."
Featured image credit: YouTube/Greater Manchester Media
Featured Image Credit:Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Old Trafford
