Liverpool have issued a response to claims West Ham’s owners contacted them regarding fans ahead of their recent clash at Anfield.
West Ham fans have been carrying out protests against their owners all season long and that continued when they faced Liverpool last weekend.
Although things did not quite go according to plan for many Hammers fans as their side were beaten 5-2 by the Reds at Anfield.
West Ham fans reportedly had personal belongings and even clothing removed by Liverpool stewards prior to last weekend’s Premier League clash.
Liverpool insist West Ham owners did not issue fan directive
Fans reported that stewards were demanding any material critical of under-fire West Ham majority owner David Sullivan and his widely unpopular vice-chair Karren Brady be removed from travelling Hammers fans.
That meant red cards and many flags featuring the ‘No More BS’ and other anti-board messages were seized.
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David Sullivan takes in a West Ham match from the directors' box
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Some supporters also alleged that t-shirts featuring protest messages about West Ham’s owners were also removed by Liverpool stewards.
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Many West Ham fans have since claimed Liverpool were acting on a request from the Sullivan, Brady and the Hammers hierarchy.
Now Liverpool have issued a response after it was claimed West Ham’s owners contacted them about protesting fans.
West Ham fans hold up leaflets reading 'No more bs' during the Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Hammers supporter groups were up in arms over the confiscation of red cards and banners at Anfield.
Even representatives from Liverpool fan group Spirit of Shankly got involved, writing to their own club demanding answers.
Now a conversation with Liverpool’s Head of Safety, Security and Operations has been communicated to West Ham fan groups and published by West Ham United Independent Supporters’ Committee.
And it has been confirmed that there was no directive from West Ham United Football Club regarding the protest despite some Liverpool stewards reportedly stating there had been.
Anfield stewards acted on Liverpool’s own flag policy for West Ham clash
It was also confirmed it was a Liverpool Football Club operational decision based on their own flag policy.
“The FAB and Supporter Group Committees are very aware of problems before and after Saturdays game at Anfield involving searches for and confiscation of protest materials,” WHUISC state.
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“We have spoken to both clubs and agreed the following statement, and are pleased to acknowledge Liverpool’s acceptance our fans faced these issues.
“Liverpool’s Head of Safety, Security and Operations has personally spoken to a FAB member and confirmed readiness for a discussion prior to our next visit to ensure no repetition. The Anfield club also wished us well in our survival battle and acknowledged the links between supporter groups of both clubs, on which note we’d like to recognise the support from the Spirit of Shankly fan group in this matter.
Mateus Fernandes during Liverpool v West Ham United - Premier League
Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images
“Finally in response to the story regarding a 13 year old Hammer particularly impacted by his treatment before the game Liverpool FC have confirmed they will be offering the youngster a special welcome to Anfield on our next visit and we will be in contact with his father to pass on that message and facilitate the offer at the appropriate time.
“Following the issues at our game at Anfield the FAB have now had the chance to speak with the Head of Safety, Security and Operations at Liverpool. Their club confirmed that the decision not to allow protest materials into the ground was an LFC operational decision based on the stadium Flag Policy.
“There was no directive from West Ham United Football Club regarding the protest despite some LFC stewards stating there had been. The Anfield club have listened to the feedback regarding our fans experiences at the game and accept that the better communication and fan engagement beforehand would have prevented most of the issues we faced.
“The club are looking forward welcoming us back to Anfield, hopefully in the not too distant future and have undertaken to engage with ourselves and make our fans next matchday experience at Anfield memorable for the right reasons.”
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