gingerthai
Well-Known Member
Liverpool FC take 1,000 seats off Manchester United and give them to their own fans
Liverpool have taken more than 1,000 seats off Manchester United – and will give them to their own fans instead.
The move came ahead of the eagerly-awaited Premier League clash between the two sides in October.
It will see United's allocation slashed for the Premier League game from 3,015 to 1,965 - and has already provoked fury on fans' websites.
Liverpool council's licensing committee made the decision after a recommendation from the city's ground safety advisory group. It was supported by Liverpool FC.
The advisory group cited 'safety reasons', laying the blame at the door of United's travelling army.
The club's stadium manager, Ged Poynton, told councillors at a hearing yesterday that Reds fans often stood in the aisles, blocking exits and causing serious risks.
But United fans who also attended told the licencing panel that handing the tickets back to Liverpool supporters could lead to 'further antagonism' and inflame a rivalry that is already one of the most ferocious in English football.
They had asked for the back three rows of their section of the Anfield Road stand, which offer an obstructed view, to be closed instead. That plan was rejected.
A spokesman for Liverpool council said: “This decision will be reviewed on an annual basis by the head of licensing, in consultation with Liverpool FC.
"It will also be looked at if Manchester United are drawn with Liverpool FC in any future cup matches."
Liverpool have taken more than 1,000 seats off Manchester United – and will give them to their own fans instead.
The move came ahead of the eagerly-awaited Premier League clash between the two sides in October.
It will see United's allocation slashed for the Premier League game from 3,015 to 1,965 - and has already provoked fury on fans' websites.
Liverpool council's licensing committee made the decision after a recommendation from the city's ground safety advisory group. It was supported by Liverpool FC.
The advisory group cited 'safety reasons', laying the blame at the door of United's travelling army.
The club's stadium manager, Ged Poynton, told councillors at a hearing yesterday that Reds fans often stood in the aisles, blocking exits and causing serious risks.
But United fans who also attended told the licencing panel that handing the tickets back to Liverpool supporters could lead to 'further antagonism' and inflame a rivalry that is already one of the most ferocious in English football.
They had asked for the back three rows of their section of the Anfield Road stand, which offer an obstructed view, to be closed instead. That plan was rejected.
A spokesman for Liverpool council said: “This decision will be reviewed on an annual basis by the head of licensing, in consultation with Liverpool FC.
"It will also be looked at if Manchester United are drawn with Liverpool FC in any future cup matches."