Merseyside Police object to 5.30 derby kick off.

[ratcatcher]

Liverpool council threatens legal action over Merseyside derby kick-off

• Police unhappy with 5.30pm start on Saturday 7 February

• City council prepared to take on Premier League over matter

Merseyside police are unhappy that Everton's meeting with Liverpool at Goodison Park on 7 February is scheduled to start at 5.30pm. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Press Association

 

Tuesday 23 December 2014 13.59 GMT

 

Liverpool City Council has threatened to take legal action if the Premier League refuses a request to change the kick-off time of February’s Merseyside derby.

The match at Goodison Park is scheduled to take place at 5.30pm on Saturday 7 February and be televised by Sky Sports.

Merseyside Police have raised their concerns about the timing which has resulted in the match being elevated to a Category C fixture with a high risk of disorder. The police, supported by the council’s licensing committee, want the match to start earlier.

“Merseyside Police do not support this fixture being played at 5.30pm and reiterate our position that this fixture should have a kick-off time of no later than 1.30pm on a weekend,” said the police in a report to a special meeting of the ground safety advisory committee.

 

Everton informed the Premier League of police objections on 9 December and the issue will be discussed by the council’s licensing committee, which is set to also write to the Premier League with the proviso it “will take legal advice on all appropriate options to enforce the position” in the event of no change of kick-off time being determined.

 

The police report stressed there was no specific intelligence indicating any organised disorder is planned but stated the wider implications of a late kick-off meant they had to take action now.

“I firmly believe the police, the clubs, and the city council have a responsibility to minimise the likelihood of those problems and their impact, not only on supporters within the footprint of the stadium, but also the wider community,” the police report said.

“An evening kick-off time at a weekend is undoubtedly the most challenging and gives us the least chance of meeting our responsibilities. It is for this reason we, the police, have specifically requested that this fixture should have a lunchtime kick-off.

 

Liverpool City Council added in a statement from Mayor Joe Anderson: “The decision to call for the change of the February derby match to a lunchtime slot was taken by the multi-agency statutory Ground Safety Advisory Group (GSAG), which includes clubs, police and fan group representatives, after Merseyside Police voiced their concerns and reservations about their own ability to police the match and the city centre thereafter.

“The GSAG was advised by police that they believed their resources were not adequate enough to cope with what they considered would be extra strain on them on a Saturday night. The Group accepted the police concerns that people would drift into the city centre after drinking before and after the game stretching their limited resources.

 

“The city council communicated the GSAG’s decision to the Premier League requesting the fixture be made an early kick off. Other cities I believe have taken this step in the past because of similar concerns.

“I would make it clear that I personally do not support the decision, for many reasons, but as always the council has to listen and take advice from those professionals who are closest to such matters. Ultimately it is a decision for the Premier League and the GSAG will consider the matter further once they have taken a decision. Let me be clear however, the city council will not be taking legal action to challenge any decision, under any circumstances.

 

“As Mayor of Liverpool and someone who attends football matches regularly, I hope that the best way forward can be reached, but I would reiterate that the city of Liverpool is home to the best football fans in the world and I am very proud that they represent us in huge numbers travelling all over the country and overseas passionately supporting their teams.”

 

[FanchesterCity]

As far as I know, it's not the sole decision of the police to determine the appropriate kick-off time. They have their input, as do the clubs, and other emergency services, usually through a planning team.

 

Of course, if any one of the emergency services kicks up a real objection, it makes life awkward for the clubs.

 

I think if there was an overwhelming public safety issue, then the police could overrule everything, but I'd not think this is an overwhelming concern. It's just a 'concern'.

[ratcatcher]

The police objected to the council's GSAG over the PL's kick off time. So it doesnt really matter whether its multi agency or not, the Police raised the objection.

 

Its just the same when the police object to a licensing application. They object to the magistrates etc but its still the police's objection.

[FanchesterCity]

Once the police raise such an objection though, it creates the 'jobsworth' situation, where there's a reluctance to go against their 'advice'. It was only last week that police in Newcastle were supposedly adopting a far more liberal approach to crowd control, claiming they wanted to 'trust' the fans a bit more.

[Koptimus Prime]

Its the potential domestic violence they should be more worried about if we beat Everton.

[Bjornebye]

I remember they used to have the old firm at five past six on a sunday night. fucking madness that was 

[njackets]

They've ruined the Derby with that early K.O time atmosphere gets shitter every season, doesn't matter what time K.O is people will still get pissed on a Derby day, hope it stays at the 17:30 K.O time and people can just behave themselves!

[Anubis]

Why are the police saying the fixture shouldn't be played any later than 1.30pm on a weekend, when they've coped perfectly well with a 3pm kick off on Saturdays in recent years.

[King Emlyn]

Why are the police saying the fixture shouldn't be played any later than 1.30pm on a weekend, when they've coped perfectly well with a 3pm kick off on Saturdays in recent years.

Dunno, something to do with the cuts maybe?

[Ginny]

County Road Cutters will be out in force lolz

[sir roger]

Can't see a massive difference to Monday night derbies at 8pm where anybody could have been on the pop since late afternoon anyway.

[Tyler Durden]

Can't see a massive difference to Monday night derbies at 8pm where anybody could have been on the pop since late afternoon anyway.

Most people are in work until 5ish so by the time you get home and out it only leaves a couple of hours drinking. If it's 5.30 KO on a Saturday loads will probably be out for 12-2ish on it plus most will stay out and into town whereas on a Monday they'd tend not to.

[Harry Squatter]

The Gary Mac Derby kicked off at the same time on Easter Monday and there were loads of kick offs after it.

[chris71]

Was it a Fa cup game or league not sure? But Gerrard scored and Cahill equalised for them. Thumpy's  going off all around town that night. Also was witness to blues storming into the Solly and glassing two lads who turned out to be blues themselves ,think it was 2007. Wasn't pretty.

 

The days of the friendly derby are well gone. Surprised they've gone with a 5.30pm ko. 

[njackets]

To me the earlier K.O time just means everyone starts drinking earlier I know it does for me, I'll get far more pissed with an earlier K.O time than I would a later one, pint of Stella for Breckfast anyone??

[Mook]

I'm in New York that weekend so the later the better for me.

[Bjornebye]

They should consult the hospitals on this to be honest. Queues at a&e are busier after 9 on a weekend so if they can get the everton wives in and out before the night revellers start coming in it would make sense to have it as early as poss. 

[Dougie Do'ins]

Was it a Fa cup game or league not sure? But Gerrard scored and Cahill equalised for them. Thumpy's  going off all around town that night. Also was witness to blues storming into the Solly and glassing two lads who turned out to be blues themselves ,think it was 2007. Wasn't pretty.

 

The days of the friendly derby are well gone. Surprised they've gone with a 5.30pm ko. 

That was the night that rumour went round that someone had been killed after a fight on Anfield Road near the King Harry. The coppers in their wisdom closed the road off with blue tape. Turned out someone had their jaw broke in an arranged fight. I'm sure it turned out one of their own was involved.

 

Still think it's only a matter of time before someone does get very seriously hurt or worse.

[Chip Butty]

But it's the friendly Derby, what's everyone's problem

[chris71]

That was the night that rumour went round that someone had been killed after a fight on Anfield Road near the King Harry. The coppers in their wisdom closed the road off with blue tape. Turned out someone had their jaw broke in an arranged fight. I'm sure it turned out one of their own was involved.

 

Still think it's only a matter of time before someone does get very seriously hurt or worse.

That's right.

We just happened to be talking to Paula ,who worked in the Albert,and her friends by the side door. We must have moved along the bar 30 seconds when a pint pot hit the wall and they stormed in.

The two fellas who were glassed were very lucky the ambulance got to them pretty lively.

[xerxes]

I think the risks and dangers are much over stated and that a 5.30pm ko should be perfectly manageable.

[boomer39]

Its the potential domestic violence they should be more worried about if we beat Everton.

when we beat everton.....

[Block109'er]

Call me naiive if you wish but I don't really see the problem with this.

 

Whilst it may not quite be 'friendly derby' that it might have once been the fixture is no where near the level of threat that the plods are trying to imply.

[Bjornebye]

[Bjornebye]