Liverpool fans' behaviour 'wholly unacceptable', says club
Thousands of supporters are rebuked for ignoring social distancing guidance despite the continuing public health crisis.
Saturday 27 June 2020 16:30, UK
The behaviour of some Liverpool fans celebrating the club's first league title in 30 years has been condemned as "wholly unacceptable" by the club and city authorities.
The reprimand came after what police described as a night of "significant disorder" when thousands of supporters gathered near the waterfront's Pier Head to mark the Premier League triumph, flouting coronavirus social distancing rules.
The drink-fuelled antics saw part of the iconic Liver Building catch fire after being hit by a firework.
It led Merseyside Police to issue a dispersal order for the city centre on Friday night, allowing them to disperse crowds.
On Saturday, council street cleaners moved in to clear away the large amount of rubbish and bottles dumped by the revellers.
A joint statement issued on behalf of the club, Liverpool City Council and police pointed out people had been consistently reminded of the dangers posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to celebrate the title win safely.
It added: "Several thousand people turned up at the Pier Head on Friday 26 June and some chose to ignore the social distancing guidance and risk public safety.
"Our city is still in a public health crisis and this behaviour is wholly unacceptable.
"The potential danger of a second peak of COVID-19 still exists and we need to work together to make sure we don't undo everything that has been achieved as a region during lockdown."
It added: "When it is safe to do so, we will all work together to arrange a victory parade when everyone can come together to celebrate.
"Until that time, the safety of our city and our people continues to be our number one priority."
Videos circulating on social media showed a firework hitting the Liver Building, which is partly owned by Everton FC majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri.
Four fire engines were sent to the building, where they put out a blaze on a balcony, a Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said.
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Metro mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said: "As a lifelong Red to say I was disappointed by the actions of a minority of people last night would be an understatement.
"The vast, vast majority of supporters followed the advice of the police, the club, the council, myself and others, to celebrate safely and at home. They deserve our praise and thanks for doing so.
"Unfortunately, a small minority of people did not listen to these pleas and instead chose to gather in public.
"In some cases, people behaved in a way that would be unacceptable even if we were not still grappling with a global pandemic."
It followed supporters packing into the area around Anfield Stadium on Thursday night when Liverpool claimed the title as the final whistle blew in the match between Chelsea and Manchester City.
Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson said on Twitter he was "really concerned" about the crowds on Friday night and said there were "many people intoxicated and causing anti social behaviour".
Urging people to go home, he added: "COVID-19 is still a major risk and our city has already lost far too many people to the illness."
He later spoke of his "sorrow" and berated those who had "brought a negative focus on the club and city.
"The pics, videos showing peoples behaviour is being talked about instead of the fantastic achievement of LFC," he added.