Manchester United are under investigation by Trafford Council after several people alleged they became unwell after being served raw chicken during an event hosted at Old Trafford.
United, who declined to comment, are also conducting an internal investigation after receiving complaints from guests who attended an event hosted at the club’s stadium in recent months. The precise nature of the event is not known.
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A spokesperson for Trafford Council confirmed its environmental health team was looking into the matter.
Symptoms of food poisoning can include diarrhoea, fever, stomach cramps, nausea and vomiting. Salmonella, an infection associated with raw chicken, can result in hospitalisation. The investigations by the council and the club are expected to examine whether symptoms experienced by the guests were related to what they consumed on United’s premises, or whether other illnesses may have struck down the visitors.
United’s current food hygiene rating is listed on the government’s website as ‘5: Very Good’ — the highest grade achievable — but the incident involving raw chicken may place this rating under jeopardy. Old Trafford’s annual Food Standards Agency (FSA) inspection was scheduled for October 23 but the club’s rating has not yet been updated for the calendar year 2023.
The FSA is an independent government department that works to protect public health, with its ratings assessing the handling of food, how food is stored and prepared and the cleanliness of facilities.
Any businesses given low ratings by the local authority food safety officer must make urgent or major improvements to hygiene standards. If it is judged that there is an imminent risk to public health, when food may be unsafe to eat, part of a business could be stopped or closed down until it is safe to recommence.
United draw substantial revenue from hosting events and providing hospitality, not least on matchday, and any downgrading of the club’s food hygiene rating would be a damaging development and may mean United have to spend significantly on improving protocols.
Restoring a rating can take a lengthy period of time and could also impact the hospitality rates the club can charge.
United’s battle to protect their hygiene rating comes just as Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s major £1.3billion investment is set to be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Manchester United declined to comment on Friday evening when approached by The Athletic.
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