Liverpool City Council threaten legal action over Goodison Merseyside derby

The city council have raised concerns over the kick off time

With the Reds due to visit Goodison Park in February for the Merseyside derby, the kick off time had been scheduled for 17:30 to be scheduled live on BT Sport. However, the city council have raised objections to the timing of the kick off and have even gone as far as to threaten legal action if those pleas are ignored.

Merseyside police raised their concerns to the council’s Ground Safety Advisory Group. The report they submitted stated that there was a high level threat posed by the late kick off.

The report stated “The most significant issue which arises from a late kick off is the excessive time allowed for alcohol consumption by those supporters attending the fixture and those seeking to view it on TV either locally to the ground, or in the city centre.

“In addition such a kick-off time affords those wishing to engage in criminal activity, either disorder or otherwise, the protection of darkness. This makes disruption and prevention more challenging, and therefore increases overall risk this fixture poses.”

While there is rarely any significant trouble during or following Merseyside derbies the council has given the police their support and have said that legal advice will be sought should the kick off time remain as it is.

Do you agree with the city council over this, or are there unfair implications toward the majority of fans in these claims? Let us know your thoughts below.