- Title: SPAIN: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - Manchester United fans sidestep Spanish General Strike
- Date: 30th September 2010
- Summary: VALENCIA, SPAIN (SEPTEMBER 29, 2010) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF VALENCIA MANISES AIRPORT SIGN READING VALENCIA AIRCRAFT AT VALENCIA AIRPORT AIRCRAFT ON THE TARMAC MANCHESTER UNITED FANS AT THE AIRPORT VARIOUS OF PANEL DISPLAYING CANCELLED FLIGHTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) MANCHESTER UNITED FAN, DERMOT, SAYING: "We've checked with the Manchester United website, a lot of the f
- Embargoed: 15th October 2010 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Spain
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVA7KI56DZ6DLI6GOAECH7VYKL58
- Story Text: Thousands of Manchester United supporters arrived in Valencia despite the General Strike that hit Spain on Wednesday (September 29) to protest against cuts intended to reduce the country's budget deficit.
Spain's first General Strike in eight years was unable to stop thousands of loyal football fans from travelling to Valencia to pack the Mestalla stadium to cheer the "Red Devils".
Dermot, a Manchester United fan, who flew on Wednesday morning to Valencia's Manises airport, said that they were advised by the club about the possible disruptions.
"We've checked with the Manchester United website, a lot of the fans have been advised that there will be severe disruptions today when they are flying over from England. And we also found out about it on the Ryanair website saying that anybody flying today from England will only be allowed to bring hand luggage with them," he said at the airport.
Spain's two main unions, the UGT and CCOO, have called the strike to protest against the Socialist government's austerity plan which makes hiring and firing cheaper and plans to delay retirement to 67 from 65 years of age.
In Valencia, the Manchester United fans enjoyed a drink in the sunshine and talked about how they had avoided the worst of the problems caused by the strike.
"We heard about the strike before we came out. But none of us had any trouble. We flew out yesterday, so no trouble," Dan, a United fan, said.
At a news conference in Mestalla, Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson said that he hoped the team could leave after the match but was understanding about the situation.
"I was involved in a couple myself when I was a young boy. I'm aware of it and I think hopefully we'll be able to leave tomorrow as normal. But last week I was in the game in Valencia and there was a strike in France and I couldn't leave, had to leave at six in the morning. So that was an inconvenience but it happens an there's nothing we can do about it. If we can't leave tomorrow then hopefully we'll be able to leave the next day," Ferguson said on Tuesday (September 28).
Earlier in the day, Valencia midfielder Juan Mata told a news conference that the football association had agreed with unions so they can focus on the match.
"I think that the AF (Football Association) has agreed with unions. I think they released a statement. And they told us to focus on the match that is quite important to think about other things. We have to focus in our things and play and try to win," he said in Mestalla.
Valencia began their Champions League campaign with a comfortable win over Bursaspor, thrashing the Turkish champions 4-0 away as United were held to a 0-0 draw at home to unfancied Scottish side Rangers.
Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes are unavailable for the Group C clash. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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