Manchester United have reported The Sun to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO), accusing the publication of knowing about the attack on Ed Woodward's home last month in advance.
United's executive vice-chairman had his house in Cheshire targeted by a group wearing balaclavas on January 28, with flares thrown onto the property and graffiti spray-painted onto the front gate and intercom.
A video was posted by the perpetrators on social media which was captioned “Ed Woodward’s gonna die.”
United believe that The Sun received prior notice of the attack, and have accused a journalist from the company of being present to document the vandalism as the incident took place.
The club has released an official statement on Friday, which reads: “Manchester United has made a formal complaint to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (Ipso) regarding the Sun newspaper and its coverage of the attack on the house of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward.
“The complaint relates to the story ‘Ed Devils: Man Utd fans throw flares at Ed Woodward’s house in shocking scenes as anti-board protests continue to escalate’ carried online and on the back page of the print edition dated 29 January 2020.
"The club believes that the Sun had received advance notice of the intended attack, which included criminal damage and intent to intimidate, and that the journalist was present as it happened.
“The quality of the images accompanying the story indicate that a photographer was also present. Not only did the journalist fail to discharge the basic duty of a responsible member of society to report an impending crime and avert potential danger and criminal damage, his presence both encouraged and rewarded the perpetrators.
"We believe this was a clear breach of both the Ipso editors’ code and journalistic ethics. The decision to make a formal complaint to Ipso was not taken lightly.
"We will await its ruling with keen interest as an important test of the self-regulatory system for newspapers and its ability to uphold ethical standards in the press.”
The Sun responded to Manchester United's allegations by admitting they had a reporter present at the attack but insisted they did nothing wrong.
“We have been made aware this evening of a complaint to IPSO by Manchester United. The Sun condemns fully the attack on Mr Woodward’s home and is happy to cooperate fully with any police inquiry", a spokesperson from The Sun said.
“However The Sun, like all newspapers, vigorously defends its right to report. Following a tip-off that there was to be a protest a Sun reporter attended. The Sun accurately reported the events that unfolded.
“At no time was our reporter made aware of what was to take place nor incited it or encouraged any criminal activity. The article made it clear that the behaviour was criminal and unacceptable. The Sun supports wholeheartedly the Editors’ Code Of Conduct and will defend the complaint to IPSO.”
Woodward and his family were not at home at the time of the attack, which saw the frustrations of United supporters unhappy with how the club is being run taken to extreme new levels.
Threatening chants were directed towards the United chief during the team's 6-0 FA Cup fourth-round win over Tranmere on January 26.
A section of supporters could be heard chanting from the away stands: "Gonna die, gonna die, Ed Woodward’s gonna die. How we kill him, I don’t know. Chop him up from head to toe. All I know is Woodward’s gonna die."
Much of the blame for United's failures on the pitch since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure in 2013 has been placed at the feet of Woodward, with current head coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer also under intense pressure to revive fortunes.
