The behavior of Liverpool FC fans is “unacceptable,” says the club

Fireworks illuminate sky outside the liver building

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Firefighters extinguished a small fire in the liver building after fireworks were triggered

Liverpool FC has condemned the behavior of some fans gathered in the city to celebrate winning the Premier League title as “totally unacceptable”.

Thirty-four people were injured – three seriously – when thousands of people showed up on the city coast despite restrictions on gatherings.

Firefighters also put out a small fire at the landmark of the liver building.

Mayor Joe Anderson said the events “brought the Liverpool Football Club and the city of Liverpool into disrepute”.

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Some fans lit torches on Pier Head’s waterfront

According to the North West Ambulance Service, three people are still in serious condition in the hospital.

Another 24 people were also treated in the hospital, while another seven were treated on site.

A 19-year-old man from Scarisbrick, Lancashire, was arrested on suspicion of arson after the fire in the Liver Building, which was probably caused by fireworks.

The flame caused at least £ 10,000 worth of damage, the police said.

15 people were arrested for violent interference and police officers were “subjected to a series of violent confrontations,” Merseyside Police Chief Andy Cooke said on Twitter.

“Children and families were present with others last night, so persistent police intervention was not appropriate at the time,” he said.

Deputy chief of police Jon Roy said rockets were thrown at the police, including two officers who were trying to help the victim of an attack and arrest them.

“Both officers were attacked by bottles thrown at them and were injured as a result,” he added.

In the early morning, after most fans left, a group of about 100 people also “messed up and then threw glasses and bottles at the police when they tried to intervene,” he said.

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Liverpool City Council

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Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson tweeted a photo of Pier Head on Friday

A joint statement by Liverpool FC, the City Council and the Merseyside Police said: “Our city is still in a public health crisis and this behavior is completely unacceptable.

“The potential danger of a second Covid-19 summit remains and we must work together to ensure that we do not undo what the region achieved during the closure.

“If it is safe, we will all work together to organize a victory parade where everyone can come together to celebrate.”

Mr. Anderson told BBC Radio Merseyside that he was “frustrated and angry and upset”.

He said: “People urinated in the doors of the Cunard building because people gathered there with boxes and boxes of beer.

“About 95% of the fans behaved remarkably well and brilliantly and listened to our requests not to gather, and yet there is a tiny minority that stains the Liverpool Football Club name.”

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The overnight events were criticized by Liverpool FC and several fans

Friday was the second time in a row that the crowd gathered to celebrate the club’s first league win in 30 years.

“On Thursday, when they gathered outside of Anfield, you could argue that the passion was there and we had to accept that it was inevitable,” said Anderson.

“But what we saw yesterday was meditated, planned, thought through beforehand, and drinking played a major role in this.

“That is no [longer] now acceptable in this city. “

BBC Radio Merseyside reporter Philip Munns, who was at the Liver Building on Saturday morning, said the boxes, broken bottles, cans, empty gas cans and bags were “scattered all over the area”.

After the crowds on Friday, the Merseyside police issued a lifting order for the city center until Sunday.

“We know that many Liverpool fans want to celebrate their Premier League victory, but there is a time and place for it – and not this weekend,” said a spokesman.

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Crowds also gathered outside Anfield on Friday

Mr. Anderson said he would speak to the police about “why no action was taken much earlier.”

“I expect the Merseyside police to be very heavy now … it’s about the safety of our city,” he said.

“I’m angry that people don’t care about other people, their families, the NHS, and the workers who have to deal with it. Covid hasn’t left.”

He said the reported cases of coronavirus have declined in the past few weeks, but the masses “are at risk”.

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