COP SLAMS SELFISH SUPPORTERS

A POLICE chief yesterday slammed Liverpool FC fans who ignored social distancing rules by joining an illegal Premier League victory celebration which descended into chaos.

Merseyside Chief Constable Andy Cooke spoke out after celebrations by thousands of supporters at Liverpool’s Pier Head, including families with children, turned ugly, leading to 15 arrests for disorder after officers were pelted with bottles by around 100 yobs.

He said fans had “increased the danger” of spreading coronavirus which was still a major problem in the city, adding: “Please think of others and don’t gather – the danger has not gone away and people are dying.”

Mr Cooke revealed the club, police and council had been working together to prevent such gatherings taking place, and said the ugly scenes were “tarnishing the reputation of our city and Liverpool Football Club”.

Fireworks were set off at the celebration on Friday and firefighters were called as a blaze broke out on a balcony at the Liver Building.

Local authority staff yesterday cleared up several tons of discarded bottles and litter. The disorder followed fans gathering at the Anfield ground on Thursday when Liverpool became champions after Manchester City lost 2-1 to Chelsea. The club said of Friday’s trouble: “Our city is still in a public health crisis and this behaviour is wholly unacceptable.”

Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said while most fans did celebrate at home, “unfortunately, a small minority of people did not listen and people behaved in a way that would be unacceptable even if we were not still grappling with a global pandemic”.