Manchester United lodge complaint against The Sun for ED Woodward's house attack story

The video showed the group chanting threats towards Woodward while throwing red flares over the gate in the absence of him and his family

English Premier League club Manchester United have lodged an official complaint against The Sun newspaper of Britain stating that news organisation had received advanced information about the attack on their chief executive Ed Woodward's house last month.

A video which was posted on social media featured a group of people who gathered outside Woodward's house in Cheshire on January 28. The clip showed the group chanting threats towards him while throwing red flares over the gate in the absence of Woodward and his family.

United have lodged a formal complaint to the IPSO

Manchester United
Manchester United Pixabay

United have made a formal complaint to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) about The Sun's coverage. "The club believes that The Sun newspaper had received advance notice of the intended attack, which included criminal damage and intent to intimidate, and that the journalist was present as it happened. The quality of the images accompanying the story indicates that a photographer was also present," read the statement.

"Not only did the journalist fail to discharge the basic duty of a responsible member of society to report an impending crime and avert potential danger and criminal damage, his presence both encouraged and rewarded the perpetrators. We believe that this was a clear breach of both the IPSO Editors' code and journalistic ethics," they added.

The Sun's statement

A spokesperson for The Sun said: "The Sun condemns fully the attack on Mr Woodward's home and is happy to cooperate fully with any police inquiry. "However The Sun, like all newspapers, vigorously defends its right to report.

"Following a tip-off that there was to be a protest a Sun reporter attended. The Sun accurately reported the events that unfolded. At no time was our reporter made aware of what was to take place nor incited it or encouraged any criminal activity. The article made it clear that the behaviour was criminal and unacceptable. "The Sun supports wholeheartedly the Editors' Code Of Conduct and will defend the complaint to IPSO."

(With agency inputs)

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