Manchester United drop Old Trafford status council row

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-24218318

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Manchester United have dropped their challenge to a council decision to "protect" their Old Trafford stadium if it was ever put up for sale.

The club claim Trafford Council made a "wholly inaccurate interpretation" of the law in granting the stadium Asset Of Community Value status in July.

However, a spokesman said the status had been found not to be "meaningful".

Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST), which requested the status, said it was pleased with the decision.

The status grants MUST the time to put together a bid for the stadium should the owners, the Glazer family, ever decide to sell it.

A United spokesman said the club "do not believe the decision to name Old Trafford an Asset of Community Value has any meaningful impact on the club".

"As a result, there seemed little point in engaging in a long, drawn-out legal process just to demonstrate a point," he said.

He added that the process "was never about leaving Old Trafford".

MUST chief executive Duncan Drasdo said the group were "delighted that the owners have taken the decision to back down over their opposition".

Trafford Council confirmed the club had withdrawn its request for a review of the decision.

A council spokeswoman added: "This means that the original decision to list the stadium will stand."