New safety recommendations for derby matches

, 10 July, 15comments  |  Jump to most recent
New safety procedures for crowd control at Merseyside derby matches are being proposed following complaints by Everton fans of a crush outside Anfield last January, the BBC report.

Liverpool City Council's ground safety advisory group has called for improvements to "engagement and communication" with supporters after more than 1,000 Everton supporters were held up outside the ground at the last meeting with Liverpool FC.

The group also recommended a review of the queuing arrangements for away fans and for matches between Everton and Liverpool to be scheduled at times which consider supporters' travel plans as well as their weekday commitments.

The points will be considered by the council's licensing committee on 17 July.  



Reader Comments (15)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


Brian Hill
1 Posted 10/07/2014 at 07:31:54
Supporters travel plans? What is the time difference between the UK and Scandinavia?

And does anybody seriously expect Liverpool Football Club to do anything that will benefit anyone or anything other than itself?

Tony J Williams
2 Posted 10/07/2014 at 12:02:31
To fair Brain, if they can't understand English, how can they follow the police instructions?
Will King
3 Posted 10/07/2014 at 12:23:10
Now, now, Tony...

Given the club's financial position, attracting fans from overseas is more important than ever. Let's make others feel welcome. English speaking or not.

Robert Stroud
4 Posted 10/07/2014 at 13:30:19
I think we should concentrate on having far more police inside Goodison and ejecting each supporter who won't sit down. Constant tannoy messages did not work!!!
Shane Corcoran
5 Posted 10/07/2014 at 13:41:53
Slightly off topic, as I like to veer, but what do people think about the fact that supporters from rival countries mixed freely during the World Cup games but such activity is a big no-no on the club scene?

Does it just confirm that club supporters are savages?

Discuss.

Patrick Murphy
6 Posted 10/07/2014 at 13:49:40
Shane, I would have expected a person of such literary talent as yourself would have framed the question in less confrontational terms.

The history of football is unfortunately all about tribalism and the more unsavoury aspects of that type of following, has resulted in mindless and hateful behaviour by some members of the crowd.

Evertonians and Liverpool fans have shown in the past that they can mix in the same areas of the ground without the threat of violence but it would seem unlikely that fans from every club can mix on the scale that they have at some International tournaments, however, attitudes do change over time and perhaps the real reason for mingling in the World Cup is down to the atmosphere created by the hosts or perhaps the 'fans' attending WC games, were in the main economically better off than those who attend matches on a regular basis.

Tony McNulty
7 Posted 10/07/2014 at 14:03:55
Apparently some Everton players, also concerned about safety, have asked for a rabies dcotor to be on hand in case Suarez is playing.
Brin Williams
8 Posted 10/07/2014 at 14:07:31
'I think we should concentrate on having far more police inside Goodison and ejecting each supporter who won't sit down. Constant tannoy messages did not work!!!'

RS4 Another suggestion: why not install a large blackout type curtain in the Upper Bullens in front of the away supporters and after two 'nice' requests just drop it and leave it there until they get the message. And see how long they will continue signing "We'll stand when we want" – twats.

Shane Corcoran
9 Posted 10/07/2014 at 14:20:38
Patrick, thank you for your kind words but my phrasing was intentionally confrontational, as you put it, but also tongue in cheek.

Your reply is more of a vague history lesson in football tribalism and a suggestion that more affluent fans can tolerate each other's views.

The question remains as to why such behaviour is one element of this one sport.

Patrick Murphy
10 Posted 10/07/2014 at 14:51:15
I have no idea, Shane. I only pointed out what has happened in the past and what can happen in the future. If you want reasons as to why certain behaviour manifests itself within football grounds, you would have to ask for a Government enquiry.

I think that the poor behaviour inside a ground reflects the poor behaviour that is tolerated in society as a whole; any major Town or City on a Saturday night witnesses many more problems than are currently seen in football stadiums.

Shane Corcoran
11 Posted 10/07/2014 at 15:09:17
I'm not really in a position to ask Elizabeth Windsor's government to do anything but it's just a thought.

Poor behaviour on the street is generally fueled by alcohol. A better comparison is the stands and terraces of other sports where it doesn't happen.

The answer, I think, is that it's part of the culture of the game. Same as diving, claiming everything you can, abusing officials etc.

Minik Hansen
12 Posted 10/07/2014 at 16:44:18
We must remember the away fans at The Emirates as well, limited due to safety reasons? It affected Everton, Tottenham & Liverpool fans, and not some minor club during a cup match over there... Where is the sense in that?
Chris Butler
13 Posted 10/07/2014 at 19:09:34
"I think we should concentrate on having far more police inside Goodison and ejecting each supporter who won't sit down. Constant tannoy messages did not work!!!"

Away supporters always stand up, our fans stand up at almost every game; there is no point trying to stop people standing as it only makes the situation worse. The stewards at Goodison were voted the best in the league because they don't just go round throwing people out for stupid things.

This mess was caused by Liverpool insisting on searching every supporter; why is it every away supporter has to be searched yet the Liverpool fans were not searched?

Tony Draper
14 Posted 11/07/2014 at 05:21:17
Is it only me that noted that the topic refers to "our cuddly neighbours"? It does not refer to Goodison Park or the behaviour of Everton supporters at away matches, so why drag them into this issue at all? (It does refer to the treatment/experience of Everton fans.)

Surely if there is one football club which must set the highest standards in regard to the treatment and safety of ALL, it would be LFC?

For Everton (or ANY) fans in such number to complain of crushing is surely worrying evidence that, despite so many years (rightfully) campaigning for justice, that the tragic lessons have really NOT been learned and acted upon?

And this from one of the self proclaimed "biggest brands" in the footballing world. Shame upon them.

Paul Andrews
15 Posted 11/07/2014 at 06:26:38
Imagine the uproar if it would have been at Goodison.

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


About these ads

© ToffeeWeb