Josh Ashton: “It was embarrassing to let Atlético de Madrid fans travel”

Former Liverpool City Public Health Chief Josh Ashton described as “shameful” that Atlético de Madrid fans could travel to Anfield on March 11 when the Spanish Government forced them to play without an audience in their own territory.

“It was embarrassing and now we are seeing the consequences of that in Liverpool. We can expect another wave of infections after this because of who those fans were, “Ashton told the 'Liverpool Echo' newspaper reported by Europa Press.

“There will be time for recriminations later. However, now we must learn the lessons of why we continue to be slow to do what is needed in this country. We must be much more ambitious with the tests, current government targets are insignificant and we must do everything possible to protect our front-line workers, “he added.

For his part, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson He also regretted that 3,000 Atlético de Madrid fans were allowed to enter the second leg of the Champions League round of 16. He believes that “it was not a good idea” after the capital of Spain already had cases confirmed by COVID-19.

“The Spanish club traveled to Anfield for a Champions League match on March 11, and thousands of their supporters joined them on the journey to Liverpool. At that time, Madrid was already experiencing an acute outbreak of coronavirus and Atlético de Madrid had been ordered to play matches on their own ground behind closed doors “, he remembered.

“Many questioned the decision at the time, but UEFA and the UK government they did not impose any restrictions for the party to develop normally “, he pointed out in words to this same newspaper.