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LONDON (Reuters) – Premier League leaders Liverpool said they were “disappointed” by the city’s mayor, saying the season should not restart even behind closed doors due to the risk of fans flocking outside Anfield.
Liverpool were 25 points ahead of their closest rivals Manchester City, which has a game in hand, when the league was suspended in March and only needs two wins to secure its first top flight title in 30 years.
Premier League clubs will meet on Friday to discuss ways to end the season, with some already back in individual training.
Mayor Joe Anderson told the BBC on Thursday that health and safety were the end result and that the best he could do was declare the season and hand the title over to Liverpool as deserving champions.
“Even if it were behind closed doors, there would be thousands of people showing up outside Anfield,” said Anderson, a fan of Liverpool city rivals Everton.
“There are not many people who respect what we say and stay off the ground, a lot of people would come to celebrate, so I think this is not a start.”
“I think it would be really difficult for the police to keep people separate and maintain social distance if they were going to celebrate outside of Anfield. It would be a sham.”
Liverpool responded in a statement saying there was “a lack of evidence to back up such claims.”
“In recent weeks, we have engaged with groups of supporters who have informed us of their determination to respect social distancing measures,” added the club.
“In the event of a resumption of soccer being announced, we would continue to work with them and other key stakeholders to maintain our collective desire to achieve this crucial goal.”
Mark Roberts, the national leader for soccer surveillance, said Wednesday that police want to cancel the season if fans don’t follow the guidelines for social distancing once the games return.
(Report by Alan Baldwin, Christian Radnedge edition)
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