Manchester, U.K.
British soccer fans protested furiously this week after American businessman Malcolm Glazer bought a controlling stake in Manchester United, a hugely popular team. Glazer, who owns the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team, bought more than 75 percent of Manchester United’s stock this week, enough to pull the team from the stock exchange. Once he acquires 90 percent, he can force the sale of the rest and become sole owner. Manchester fans fear that an American owner will overcommercialize the team and destroy its blue-collar spirit. “We are calling on all supporters to wear black,” said fan club spokesman Mark Longden. “People should decline to renew their season tickets.” Glazer’s son Joel, who will manage his father’s investment, said fans had nothing to worry about, and that no big changes are planned.
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