Manchester United security guard fired for watching TV in director's box and having a nap at Old Trafford

A Manchester United security guard has been fired after he was caught watching TV in a director's box at Old Trafford. Tayo Otokiti was also found having an unauthorised nap in a control room while he was supposed to be patrolling the stadium.

The dad-of-three fell asleep on duty just days after a cleaner found him relaxing inside an executive box in a restricted area of the East Stand known as the ''Tower of Power'' due to its VIP guests. Nigerian-born Mr Otokiti, who is in his 40s, had been moved to work at Old Trafford following a bust-up over him watching TV in a coach's office at the club's Carrington training ground.

The fervent United supporter was dismissed for gross misconduct and neglect of duty but later sued his bosses at Controlls Solution Group, which provides security services to United. He claimed racial discrimination and unfair dismissal, but at an industrial tribunal in Manchester a judge rejected his claims after it emerged a white member of staff had also been fired for sleeping whilst on duty.

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Mr Otokiti, a former finance manager, had initially been taken on in 2012 as one of 800 casual staff employed to provide security for the club, its players and staff. But in April 2017 he was given a permanent job at the Carrington site and the following year was promoted to night-time security supervisor.

His troubles began in May 2019 when he was invited to meet a senior colleague to discuss an allegation he had neglected his duty by watching TV in a United coach’s office. During the meeting, Mr Otokiti was also informed that his ''approach'' to a staff member who reported him could bring the company into disrepute and