Liverpool has increased security at Anfield ahead of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby against local rivals Everton (Watch live, 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN and online via Live Extra).
The club was recently charged by UEFA for unruly fan behavior during the Reds’ dramatic win over Borussia Dortmund in the Europa League.
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Fireworks were set off and flares thrown onto the pitch, breaching stadium and UEFA rules and causing the club to take action. It was the Liverpool’s seventh UEFA charge of the season, with three of those relating to fireworks.
The club released the following statement on Wednesday, threatening sanctions and bans for any supporters who try to bring prohibited items into Anfield.Ahead of tonight’s Merseyside derby against Everton, Liverpool FC would like to remind supporters that flares, smoke bombs and pyrotechnics are illegal and prohibited.
Any individual who is found taking these items to Anfield will face prosecution and a stadium ban. Merseyside Police will be using trained sniffer dogs in and around the stadium tonight.
The use of such devices breaches ground regulations and poses serious risk of injury, health and safety to fellow fans. Pyrotechnic devices could also set fire alarms off at Anfield, causing a stadium evacuation and potentially abandonment of the match.
The club has recently been charged for Liverpool supporters using pyrotechnics during recent matches and this may result in sanctions being imposed on the club and supporters at future games.