LIVERPOOL and Everton fans were warned today they could be prosecuted for “criminal chanting” at this month’s two Merseyside derbies.
They could be thrown out of the ground and charged for singing inappropriate songs.
Police are taking action after unsavoury terrace chants at recent derbies, and are involved in talks with the Crown Prosecution Service.
Liverpool and Everton meet in a Premiership game on Monday evening and the following Sunday afternoon in the FA Cup, both at Anfield.
One song is said to be of particular concern to police, whose football intelligence officers will draw up a dossier of chants.
Police today warned they would remove offenders from the ground and seek bans.
Officers are to speak to both clubs asking them to present a united front against unacceptable abuse from the stands.
Football commander for Merseyside police Chief Supt Dave Lewis said: “We will speak to the CPS to see if what is sung is viewed as abusive.
“We could arrest people and charge them. We won’t be arresting hundreds as we haven’t got the resources to do so and could prompt a mêlée.
“Some of the singing can be abhorrent and we have to draw a line under it.”
The action comes in the wake of alleged racist and homophobic chanting directed at Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell during a match against former employers Tottenham Hotspur.
A number of people were charged by Hampshire police.
Everton FC spokesman Ian Ross said: “We always urge our fans to behave appropriately, not just at derby games, but at every match.
“At a previous derby at Anfield there was some pretty unpleasant chanting from both sets of supporters, although it was not racist or homophobic.”
There was no-one available to comment at Liverpool FC.
[email protected]
They could be thrown out of the ground and charged for singing inappropriate songs.
Police are taking action after unsavoury terrace chants at recent derbies, and are involved in talks with the Crown Prosecution Service.
Liverpool and Everton meet in a Premiership game on Monday evening and the following Sunday afternoon in the FA Cup, both at Anfield.
One song is said to be of particular concern to police, whose football intelligence officers will draw up a dossier of chants.
Police today warned they would remove offenders from the ground and seek bans.
Officers are to speak to both clubs asking them to present a united front against unacceptable abuse from the stands.
Football commander for Merseyside police Chief Supt Dave Lewis said: “We will speak to the CPS to see if what is sung is viewed as abusive.
“We could arrest people and charge them. We won’t be arresting hundreds as we haven’t got the resources to do so and could prompt a mêlée.
“Some of the singing can be abhorrent and we have to draw a line under it.”
The action comes in the wake of alleged racist and homophobic chanting directed at Portsmouth defender Sol Campbell during a match against former employers Tottenham Hotspur.
A number of people were charged by Hampshire police.
Everton FC spokesman Ian Ross said: “We always urge our fans to behave appropriately, not just at derby games, but at every match.
“At a previous derby at Anfield there was some pretty unpleasant chanting from both sets of supporters, although it was not racist or homophobic.”
There was no-one available to comment at Liverpool FC.
[email protected]
Not sure how realistic it is, but good luck to them.
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