Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Old Trafford security chief is suspended

Alan Nixon
Tuesday 29 January 2002 01:00 GMT
Comments

Manchester United have suspended their security chief, Ned Kelly, while they investigate allegations against him of ticket touting.

Greater Manchester Police are also looking into claims that Kelly, whose company, Special Projects Security, is responsible for security and stewarding at Old Trafford, sold tickets and corporate boxes at inflated prices. Kelly has denied the claims.

A spokesman for United said: "Ned Kelly has been removed from all operational activities on behalf of Manchester United, pending the outcome of an internal club inquiry. Separately, Greater Manchester Police are involved in an investigation of the alleged ticket-touting."

The former SAS man has become a familiar face at Old Trafford in recent years and has acted as bodyguard for Eric Cantona, David Beckham and other leading United players.

Kelly has largely built up his private security business, whose headquarters are in the shadow of Old Trafford, on the back of his work with United. He accompanies the manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, on all United's foreign trips and watches games at Old Trafford from the touchline.

Kelly's stewards have become familiar at many other sporting events in the North-West and have worked at Haydock and Chester racecourses. His stewards have been accused of using heavy-handed tactics against United fans who were standing at Old Trafford.

Dwight Yorke's move from United to Middlesbrough stalled last night because of the striker's wage demands. A fee, reportedly £6.2m, has been agreed, but Yorke, who earns around £24,000 a week at United, wants between £20,000 and £30,000 a week more to move.

Yorke, 30, will have to reduce his demands if he is going to join Boro. He may also have lost some of his allure because he is cup-tied after playing the last 10 minutes of United's fourth-round defeat to Boro.

United hope to extend their lead at the top of the Premiership tonight when they entertain Bolton, who yesterday sacked Djibril Diawara for disciplinary reasons, lining up Eric Rabesandratana as his replacement. Diawara, on a year's loan from Torino, was dismissed for being out until 4am before the FA Cup tie at Stockport, while the 29-year-old Frenchman Rabesandratana is leaving AEK Athens.

Bolton have also finalised a £500,000 deal with Marseilles for the on-loan Bruno N'Gotty and are on the verge of signing the Cannes midfielder Gérard Forschelet for a similar fee.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in