LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL are threatening to take legal action against the Premier League after the kick-off time for February’s Merseyside derby was put back to 5.30pm for television reasons.
Broadcaster Sky Sports have selected the match, which takes place on Saturday 7 February, in their latest set of fixtures and in consultation with the Premier League moved the start time to the evening slot.
However, Merseyside Police have joined the City Council recommending for the game at Goodison Park to be moved forward because there are fears of drunken hooliganism.
The council’s licensing committee wrote to the Premier League asking them to review the kick-off time or it will ‘take legal advice on all appropriate options to enforce the position.’
The police say the later start time will give supporters ‘excessive time’ to consume alcohol while the potential for criminal activity will be increased significantly because of the ‘protection of darkness.’
The match has been upgraded to a Category C fixture with a high risk of disorder.
“Merseyside Police do not support this fixture being played at 17.30 and reiterate our position that this fixture should have a kick-off time of no later than 13.30 on a weekend,” the police statement read.
Superintendent Chris Markey, who is in charge of policing the fixture, insisted that there was no indication that any organised disorder was being planned and admitted the majority of supporters are there for the football and nothing else.
“The earlier kick-off time gives us the best chance to fulfil our obligations. It is well-documented that over the years the relationship between supporters has not been as good as it has been historically,” he said.
“I firmly believe the police, the clubs, and the city council have a responsibility to minimise the likelihood of those problems and their impact, not only on supporters within the footprint of the stadium, but also the wider community.
“An evening kick-off time at a weekend is undoubtedly the most challenging and gives us the least chance of meeting our responsibilities.”
The Mayor of Liverpool, Joe Anderson, has also asked the Premier League to review the kick-off time.
In previous years, clashes between Everton and Liverpool have been played at lunchtime in an attempt to minimise the likelihood of any problems between the supporters of each club.
When the fixture change was announced earlier this month, Everton informed the Premier League of the police’s concerns.
Sky Sports are, however, the primary Premier League rights holder and have owned the 5.30pm slot on a Saturday evening for the past two seasons after BT Sport bought the rights for the earlier kick-off.
If it goes ahead as planned, it will be the latest time a Merseyside derby has been played on a weekend.
Hope they have wheelchair positions with good views. The Aviva stadium is excellent but Croke park is a disaster for wheelchair supporters as they are put behind the crowd who block the view when they stand up.
Any residents committees to consult with first?
Good on them. Wish them all the best.
Great news and a very constructive partnership with the RDS. Hopefully that relationship never breaks down though.
Probably good idea to put in good corporate boxes and hospitality stuff. As great as the GAA is international staff at Facebook, Google, etc are probably going to be more into the rugby than the GAA. RCC games have international prestige. Huge amounts of money to be made which can help close the gap between Ireland and the UK/France without screwing the average fan.
Remember the emirates stadium corporate bits earn more than the entire old Highbury stadium. As much as everyone hates the prawn cocktail brigade they pay the bills.
Fantastic news! This will help step up our bid for the RWC 2023! Would love the Sportsground in Galway to get a revamp. Connacht Rugby is growing! Also, with the GAA redeveloping Casement and Pairc UI Chaoimh, Has any attention been given to Pearse or McHale for further development?
I doubt the RDS would be used. Lansdowne and Croker will be used in Dublin. Can’t see them using three venues in the same city.
Will still be smaller than Thomand. I would have thought given the population of Leinster that they would have the largest stadium.
The IRFU doesn’t own the stadium, they have significant debts on the Aviva, the recession has crimped revenue, they can’t be sure they would fill an even bigger stadium. Building one new stand allows the stadium to stay in use through the building and bring in revenue. They can always expand the other stands later if needed.
The IRFU is a pretty sensible organisation.
Plus they own the Aviva Stadium. Pro 12 in the RDS and some RCC matches in the Aviva might be idea.
There’s no point in a bigger stadium. Larger than 25K and you’re talking Aviva anyway.
“We often have this philosophical discussion in the office after we go to the Aviva and say ‘Where are those people every other week?’ admits Dawson.
They’re Munster fans Mr. Dawson.
I didn’t see many munsterfans at the Leinster-Northampton game last year, or the Clermont-Leinster game the previous year. Maybe think about what you are saying before you make a studpid comment :)
“Ulster have too many people standing” I think the fans would disagree Mick. There’s a reason Ulster and Munster have so much terrace space. And I’ve heard plenty of Leinster fans complaining about how little terrace space there is in the RDS.
Would you fit a country singer in with a few gaa fans around mid July …. That might cover some of the cost
An awful lot of horseshit comes out of the rds, therefore make your own mind up about this story
Taxpayers money handed to the Banks to pay professional Rugby was taken from the poorest in society and now they want more revenue. I understand promoting the game and commerce but like Garyh Brooks these are luxury problems. The members of the RDS are selling their values to Rugby people who have no moral compass.
Not too sure what your on. Ever second week 25,000 attend the RDS in the Pro 12 season. Say 10% are visiters spending on average minimum €200 -€500 for the weekend in the local economy I thought that might just create a bit of employment for the lest well of if it’s even just to give them part time work. Maybe I’m wrong?
If there are 25,000 there every 2weekend why are they increasing it to 25,000?????
Taxpayers’ money?
I get what you’re saying Mark, but current capacity is 18,000. That’s why they’re increasing to 25,000.
We dont need another big stadium in Dublin correct me if I am wrong.
I wouldn’t say a 25,000 capacity stadium is big.
Thor, you’re wrong.
Really, 25000 a big stadium,hahaha, get real pal.
The Garth Brooks Arena maybe ?
L’Oreal ?
Flash, there must not be any paving or tarmacing to be done in Rathkeale today seeing that you are on the “slag off Leinster chip on your shoulder” bandwagon. ;)
Not just leinster rugby gary, trash gordon/elrat makes a two word comment on everything or anything to do with dublin. Feel sorry for the little boy, must be lonely on his farm.
Ah Gary the number 2 Gombeen Stalker – can’t be long now before your idiot pal James from Donabate will be along!
Wow Got a new Stalker in twerp another Lonster lady boy !! One at a time girls!!
You stay classy thrash, eh flash!
Another stadium in leinster being devleoped, pairc ui chaoimh in munster, casement park in ulster. Surely to god there is a bit of funding to upgrade hyde park in roscommon. Great location for a possibly great stadium, middle of the country and in the best county of ireland! Up the ros!
Mickey Stroker
What has the RDS being redeveloped got to do with funding for Hyde Park in Roscommon???
RDS doesn’t meet expanding. 18,000 is more than enough, and when it isn’t enough they move to the Aviva. I would rather have a usually full smaller stadium than an empty big one.
Although what they do need to do is upgrade some of the stands, enclose them so voices carry. The atmosphere is alright at the best of times and the stadium doesn’t help with that at all.
Also Leinster will need to start winning again in Europe if they have a hope of filling a 25,000 seater stadium because the RDS is barely full throughout the year.
Also getting rid of the standing sections is stupid. That’s where most of the real fans go and it offers a cheaper ticket.