A total of 13 arrests were made in Liverpool and Leeds as thousands of fans gathered outside stadiums on Wednesday night to celebrate their clubs’ title triumphs despite warnings to stay at home.
Merseyside Police
introduced a 48-hour dispersal zone around Liverpool’s Anfield stadium during
the club’s match against Chelsea.
Nine arrests were
made as large numbers congregated outside the Kop end, where Liverpool lifted
the Premier League trophy after a 5-3 victory.
Ahead of the match
in Liverpool, the club, council, police and supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly
had urged people to celebrate from their homes due to ongoing concerns over the
spread of coronavirus.
“Although the
numbers who gathered last night could have been significantly higher, it is
still disappointing that people did not listen to requests from ourselves,
Liverpool Football Club and Liverpool City Council not to gather in large
numbers because of the risks still posed by COVID-19,” said Merseyside police
assistant chief constable Natalie Perischine.
Thousands of
supporters also celebrated outside Anfield last month when the team’s first
top-flight title in 30 years was confirmed and huge numbers gathered at the
city’s Pier Head the following night, where police reported violent
confrontations.
“Officers made a
total of nine arrests outside Anfield last night for affray, assault, people
who were drunk and disorderly and drug-driving,” added Perischine.
Leeds defended the
club’s decision for players to parade the Championship trophy in an open-top
bus at Elland Road after their 4-0 win over Charlton on Wednesday.
In a repeat of
scenes outside Elland Road when promotion back to the Premier League for the
first time in 16 years was confirmed on Friday, thousands of supporters
gathered to celebrate.
Four arrests were
made and a police officer suffered minor injuries.
Fans were then
joined by the players on the bus after their pitchside trophy presentation had
concluded.
“Following
consultation with the SAG (Safety Advisory Group) and (Leeds City) Council,
Leeds United arranged for a bus to be parked outside the East Stand reception
as a contingency to assist dispersal should a crowd congregate at Elland Road,
despite a month-long campaign from the club and supporter groups to encourage
supporters to stay at home,” said a club spokesman.
“The safety group
believed that a brief appearance from the players with the Championship trophy
would help to signal an end to proceedings, encouraging fans to head home
safely.
“In challenging
circumstances fan safety has always been our priority.”
