The Premier League are to urge fans to behave themselves ahead of the festive fixtures – following a spate of incidents at recent matches.
On Sunday, the Manchester United team bus was hit by a bottle in the latest ‘welcome party’ held by Liverpool supporters for the arrival of their opponents.
Damage was caused to the vehicle with United joining City and Real Madrid among those targeted in recent times as they made their way to Anfield.
Merseyside Police are investigating, with Liverpool vowing that anyone caught will face club sanctions.
And Mail Sport understands that top flight officials will now remind fans to ‘act responsibly’ when attending matches over the Christmas and New Year period.
Along with the FA and EFL they launched a series of measures at the start of the season aimed at improving conduct on and off the pitch.
However, aside from the bus attack, there have been instances of tragedy chanting at matches while before the East Anglia derby Norwich co-owner Delia Smith’s car was hit by objects as she approached Portman Road.
Some sections of Liverpool’s support have made a habit of noisily ‘greeting’ opposition coaches as they approach the stadium.
A video posted on social media showed the United bus making its way to Anfield through a crowd singing ‘Manchester is full of ****’. A glass bottle was then thrown against the moving vehicle. No windows were broken and no injuries were sustained, although Erik ten Hag’s squad noticed an audible thud as the object struck the bus.
In 2021 Merseyside Police launched an investigation after the coach carrying Real Madrid players to the ground was damaged ahead of a Champions League clash.
City said their bus was attacked last November outside Anfield while in 2018 Liverpool were fined after City’s bus was targeted before another European fixture.
A Liverpool spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of footage of the incident circulating online and are working with Merseyside Police, to fully investigate and identify those responsible.
‘Any individuals found guilty of this reprehensible behaviour will also face the full force of the club’s sanction process.’
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
