Manchester City and Liverpool write letters to their fans warning against missile throwing or tragedy chants during Saturday’s Premier League clash – with previous games marred by supporter violence
- Manchester City hosts Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon
- Recent games have seen disturbing levels of violence between the two fanbases
- It’s the world against Everton – it could encourage the players to stay up – IAKO
Manchester City and Liverpool have written to their supporters urging them to behave well during the match between the two rivals this weekend.
Both sides face each other at the Etihad Stadium in a match starting at 12.30pm, after police – concerned about trouble – refused permission to start at 5.30pm.
And in a further step, Mail Sport understands that officials have now been in contact with supporters who have tickets ahead of the match.
Liverpool have referred to throwing missiles, while City have emphasized singing tragedies, with both messages warning fans that action will be taken against those who have misbehaved.
Matches between the two clubs have been marred by problems in a growing rivalry that has become toxic of late.
Manchester City and Liverpool have written to their fans to deter them from any violence when the two clubs meet in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
There were many disturbances during the Carabao Cup match at the Etihad last December
During the match, the 15-year-old girl was left ‘scarred for life’ after a pint cup, weighted with coins, was thrown from the Liverpool section at the home fans
The match will be televised. Mail Sport previously revealed that Sky bosses had been looking at the 5.30pm primetime slot.
However, the local security advisory group – which includes the police – was not expected to give permission and so the match was brought forward to 12.30pm after an agreement was reached with TNT Sports, which usually shows the earlier match.
Liverpool’s allocation for last season’s match at the Etihad was reduced from 3,000 to 2,400. This time there has been a reduction again, but to a lesser extent. The original move was made in the wake of a number of problems, including a 15-year-old girl who was left ‘scarred for life’ when she was hit by a jar filled with coins thrown by visitors. section during a Carabao Cup match in December.
During that match, more than fifty reports of rockets being fired from the other side were made, while a City fan was sent off and arrested after being accused of abusing disabled Liverpool supporters.
Earlier last season, Pep Guardiola claimed he was targeted with coins as City lost at Anfield, and City said their team bus was also attacked, with damage to the windscreen pictured (right)
At the same match, City fans were accused of vandalizing the Anfield end and chanting Hillsborough chants