Major police operation planned for Thursday’s Liverpool v Napoli return leg - 02/11/2010
Source : Liverpool Echo
A MAJOR police operation has been planned for the visit of Napoli to Anfield ahead of this Thursday’s Europa League match.
Officers are on high alert after three Reds fans were stabbed and others scarred in the Italian city a fortnight ago as packs of Ultras targeted Liverpool supporters in the streets and bars before the first leg game.
Now, with suggestions 7,000 Napoli fans could be heading for Liverpool, with just a 2,600 allocation set aside in the stadium, security will be raised.
Italian police will be in the city on Thursday working with Merseyside officers to prevent disorder.
Seven charter flights will arrive at Liverpool John Lennon Airport carrying Napoli fans where a strong police presence is expected.
No escort is planned to transport them to the city centre, and later to Anfield, although extra resources will be deployed by the force outside the ground and centre of Liverpool.
Napoli’s ticket allocation was sold out in a couple of hours and evidence of Italians trying to buy seats in Liverpool FC sections by enrolling as fan card members has been identified and stopped by the club.
The game has been classed at a higher category to the previous European home game against Steau Bucharest by Merseyside Police.
But officers were keen to play down suggestions football fans from other English clubs were interested in heading for Anfield after violent clashes with Italian rivals in recent months and years.
Chief Superintendent Dave Lewis, of Merseyside Police, said: "Thursday’s match will be policed similarly to other matches and takes account of recent incidents in Naples.
“However I would like to reassure matchgoers that there is no current intelligence to cause concern.
"There will be no tickets on sale for the game on the day of the match. I would advise anyone who wishes to attend to purchase a ticket before Thursday.
"I am aware that there were some disorder issues in Naples during the last game. We take this type of behaviour very seriously and will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour.”
