Enthusiastic Manchester United fans stormed the field
and briefly interrupted a training session held by the English
soccer powerhouse in the southern city of Guangzhou on
Thursday.
After star players like Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney emerged from
the locker room to loud cheers, a sea of screaming Chinese fans ran
onto the pitch at a Guangzhou stadium, with some taking pictures,
Hong Kong television footage showed.
The players were sent back to the locker room and waited until the
crowd dispersed before returning, Vicky Ho, a spokeswoman for
United's Asian tour, said.
Ho said none of the players were injured, although they were
overwhelmed by the passion of their Guangzhou fans.
The chaos was initiated by one or two fans who rushed to the pitch
once they saw the team arriving, she said.
Thursday's practice session came ahead of United's friendly match
Friday against local team Guangzhou Pharmaceutical the last stop
of the club's Asian tour.
United previously beat FC Seoul and Shenzhen Xiangxue Eisiti in
Macau earlier this tour.
