Liverpool city partners unite ahead of 2020-21 football season
Ahead of the Reds’ Premier League title defence starting this Saturday, Liverpool Football Club is once again working with its city partners - Liverpool City Council, Merseyside Police and LFC’s supporters’ union, Spirit of Shankly - to ensure the football season kicks off in the safest way possible.
All Premier League fixtures will take place behind closed doors until at least October 1, 2020.
The club and partners are committed to delivering a robust plan in line with government guidance which prioritises the safety, health and wellbeing of the local community, supporters, staff, players and emergency services, using the same format throughout the remainder of last season’s games behind closed doors.
Supporters played an important role on matchdays last season and the overwhelming majority of fans observed the need to avoid mass gatherings and maintained social distancing.
Matt Ashton, director of public health for Liverpool, said: “Last season was a huge challenge for everyone and I thank all our partners for their co-operation in managing a very complex and testing situation. Of course, COVID-19 has not gone away. We are starting to see increased numbers of cases across the city once again, so we all need to stay vigilant, clean our hands regularly, keep our distance from people outside our social bubbles, and wear face coverings when it is not possible to do so.
“Please support the club safely, either at home, in your social bubble, or at ‘covidsafe’ venues where they treat your health as seriously as they do their business. We all want to avoid any local lockdown that disrupts the football season, or closes the city down again, so please play your part.”
Superintendent Paul White from Merseyside Police said: “As the city prepares for the start of the new football season, we are continuing to remind fans that with games still being held behind closed doors, there is no benefit to going to the ground.
“The match against Leeds United will be televised, and we are urging fans of both clubs to watch it at home or in licensed premises. People should continue to avoid large gatherings, especially when social distancing is hard to achieve.
“We have seen coronavirus cases rise again, and local lockdowns introduced in other areas of the country. Nobody wants to see similar restrictions imposed in Merseyside, and the best way to avoid that situation is for us all to work together to keep ourselves, our families, friends and neighbours safe.
“The vast majority of people in our communities have shown a huge amount of patience and selflessness throughout this pandemic, and the last thing anyone would want is for that hard work to be undone.”
Liverpool FC continues to work closely with the Premier League, The Sports Grounds Safety Authority and key stakeholders on planning for the safe return of supporters when it is permitted and safe to do so.
The club would like to thank fans for supporting the team safely during this time. Whilst restrictions and guidelines are being gradually reduced, it is important that fans continue to support the team safely. By following government and public health guidance, supporters can play their part to keep friends, family, and the local community safe.
