Manchester City and Liverpool officials meet to discuss improving fan relations
The last few years have seen a number of unsavoury incidents occur between supporters at meetings between the two Premier League rivals.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Manchester City and Liverpool officials have met to discuss improving relations between both sets of fans ahead of next week’s Carabao Cup fourth-round tie at the Etihad Stadium.
The last few years have seen a number of unsavoury incidents occur between supporters at meetings between the two Premier League rivals.
Liverpool’s win at Anfield in October was marred by offensive graffiti about Hillsborough being written on the concourses of the away section, while there was also allegations of chanting about the 1989 disaster in which 97 fans died.
City also claimed coins had been thrown at their coaching staff – although a Liverpool investigation failed to find any evidence – and one of their buses had been damaged on leaving Anfield.
In 2018 the City team coach was targeted with bottles and other items on its arrival for a Champions League quarter-final.
A meeting between fan groups City Matters – City’s elected fan network – and Liverpool Supporters Board last month was attended by officials from both clubs in the hope of a ending such incidents ahead of Thursday’s League Cup tie.
“Over the past five or six seasons, our matches have been some of the most entertaining in the world,” said a joint statement from the groups.
“However, we can’t ignore the recent poor behaviour from a small number of fans on both sides, which has often overshadowed the results and the quality of football on show.
“That’s why we were pleased to sit down with both clubs to improve relations and make commitments to working together to improve fan behaviour at future matches.”