A FAIR COP, JUST NOT FOR FOOTBALL AND ITS FANS

IT is not just coronavirus that affects football supporters differently, it seems. Protests related to football are apparently unique, too. Dame Cressida Dick, the Metropolitan Police commissioner, confirmed police had taken a softer approach to those flouting lockdown rules to protest after the killing of george Floyd. There may yet be significant health consequences, but Dame Cressida feared a large and angry crowd would not listen to requests to disperse with no hope of negotiation. We understand. Heavy-handed policing could have inflamed an already volatile situation. Yet newcastle’s matches have been heavily scrutinised by those advocating neutral venues. The fear is that opponents of the saudi Arabian regime will congregate outside. Yet, in both instances — Black Lives Matter and the murder of Jamal Khashoggi — the demonstrations would be against state-sponsored violence, resulting in death. so why the difference? Any protests against the newcastle takeover are likely to be considerably more low key than events in London this week. As for the apparent terror that Liverpool fans will overrun the streets of Anfield celebrating their title win, this does not even carry a hint of confrontation. Just crowd numbers. The sort we have seen in parks, on beaches and in demonstrations these past seven days, with the police taking a conciliatory tone. What a pity the same consideration isn’t afforded football fans.