The Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson told the Worlds Media and anybody else who cared to listen what was going to happen 2 months ago, much to the annoyance of both Liverpool FC and the Spirit of Shankly.
An LFC statement read: "As a club, we are aware of and disappointed by comments attributed to Mayor Joe Anderson in a media interview which was published today.
"As well as a lack of evidence to support such claims, we would also point to recent discussions with Mayor Anderson relating to the possibility of any behind closed doors football, which concluded that it is important that key stakeholders across the city continue to engage and work collaboratively.
"In recent weeks, we have engaged with supporters groups who have informed us of their determination to respect social distancing measures and, in the event of a resumption of football being announced, we would continue to work with them and other key stakeholders in keeping with our collective desire to achieve this crucial objective".
Response Statement to Mayor Anderson from the Spirit of Shankly
Thursday 30 April 2020 at 17:50
Spirit of Shankly are angered by comments made by Liverpool City Mayor, Joe Anderson.
The Mayor has chosen to speak out on a hypothetical matter, namechecking Liverpool FC supporters without discussion with those fans or fan groups.
There is no evidence to support the Mayor’s perception that Liverpool supporters will break any lockdown regulations and gather outside of Anfield should football be resumed and played behind closed doors.
SOS raised this issue with the club, back on 13 March, ten days before lockdown began. We agreed then a determination to respect social-distancing measures and, in the event of a resumption of football, we would continue to work together, along with other key stakeholders, in achieving this objective.
Rather than disparaging words about football fans, it would have been more beneficial for the City Mayor to acknowledge the work being done by those same people in easing pressures on the city’s old and vulnerable at this time. SOS alone up to now have delivered more than 1,000 food parcels, and are active partners in helping with the supply of PPE and @SFoodbanks
We ask the Mayor to retract his statement and work with fans to support all during this time of crisis.
Maybe next time they might listen
An LFC statement read: "As a club, we are aware of and disappointed by comments attributed to Mayor Joe Anderson in a media interview which was published today.
"As well as a lack of evidence to support such claims, we would also point to recent discussions with Mayor Anderson relating to the possibility of any behind closed doors football, which concluded that it is important that key stakeholders across the city continue to engage and work collaboratively.
"In recent weeks, we have engaged with supporters groups who have informed us of their determination to respect social distancing measures and, in the event of a resumption of football being announced, we would continue to work with them and other key stakeholders in keeping with our collective desire to achieve this crucial objective".
Response Statement to Mayor Anderson from the Spirit of Shankly
Thursday 30 April 2020 at 17:50
Spirit of Shankly are angered by comments made by Liverpool City Mayor, Joe Anderson.
The Mayor has chosen to speak out on a hypothetical matter, namechecking Liverpool FC supporters without discussion with those fans or fan groups.
There is no evidence to support the Mayor’s perception that Liverpool supporters will break any lockdown regulations and gather outside of Anfield should football be resumed and played behind closed doors.
SOS raised this issue with the club, back on 13 March, ten days before lockdown began. We agreed then a determination to respect social-distancing measures and, in the event of a resumption of football, we would continue to work together, along with other key stakeholders, in achieving this objective.
Rather than disparaging words about football fans, it would have been more beneficial for the City Mayor to acknowledge the work being done by those same people in easing pressures on the city’s old and vulnerable at this time. SOS alone up to now have delivered more than 1,000 food parcels, and are active partners in helping with the supply of PPE and @SFoodbanks
We ask the Mayor to retract his statement and work with fans to support all during this time of crisis.
Maybe next time they might listen
