The Police ask for an urgent meeting with the Premier League

The head of Britain’s police soccer unit called an urgent meeting with Premier League officials on Thursday to discuss the rise in incidents involving fans this season.

Figures recently released by British Police show a 36% increase in such incidents in the first half of the current season compared to the same period in 2019-20.

On the last day two incidents took place in just a few hours, Two Aston Villa players, Lucas Digne and Matty Cash, were hit on Saturday by plastic water bottles thrown by Everton supporters and on Sunday Antonio Rüdiger, Chelsea defender , was also hit by an object thrown by Tottenham fans during the London derby at Stamford Bridge.

read also

Police unit manager Mark Roberts wants a response to the riots, which is why he has called for an immediate meeting with Premier League officials.

Unanswered

“I have written to the Premier League asking for an emergency meeting but have yet to hear back,” Roberts reveals. “It will require a joint response from the clubs, the league, the government, the fans and the police.”

“It would be a mistake to say that we are where we were (a few decades ago), but the image (of the Premier League) is certainly deteriorating and coordinated action is needed if we do not want it to deteriorate further,” Roberts warns.

36% increase in incidents

According to the Police, during the first half of the season there were 759 incidents or disorders (and 802 arrests), compared to 560 in the same period of the 2019-20 season (547 arrests), that is, before the confinement period imposed due to the coronavirus crisis.

In England, stadium capacities are completely open to spectators after the relaxation of health restrictions related to Covid-19.