LIVERPOOL 0-3 ahead on 30 minutes. Fabulous. Up the Reds.
I have seen none of the goals.
I see the replay of the third in a Seville bar where they make me welcome. Drinks across the bar. A seat made available on a table. Nice people. This is important. Nice people.
The first goal I heard. I heard when outside the ground queuing to get in. We were there from about 8.25pm; me, Craig Hannan and Gareth Roberts. The match kicking off in 20 minutes but the queue massive and not moving forward. It moved sideways. The Liverpool supporters moved sideways to let police horses in.
Finally it moved, a sudden flood. Then it stopped and the Liverpool supporters self policed. Demanded pushing stop. It did. Immediately. Then we waited and waited patiently. The Champions League music started and still we queued and while agitated people were broadly patient. The game kicks off and we hear the first Liverpool goal.
There began to be movement, Liverpool 0-1, to other gates and through our gate. I pass the first police officer and then pass the first steward. The second steward asks to look in my bag and I oblige. Within it are a lot of wires. That picture is below.
I understand this is no barrel of laughs. The steward has no table to open my bag and go through it, he just has a quick look. He has a crowd trying to get in. He is under pressure is my point. I understand this both then and now. He wants to take my bag off me. I ask how and when and where I will get it back. He isn’t the only one under pressure — our flight takes off at 1.30am. Allowing for being kept in and getting a cab everything is already tight. I’m trying to explain this as my bag is taken off me. I see Craig’s bag is in a similar boat and I ask again.
They find me a more senior steward. This steward then finds another and she says it might take up to two hours to get mine and Craig’s bag back and they will be in gate 11. Both bags are matched away and I am without a ticket. They say they will put both our bags on the same ticket. This is unacceptable, a recipe for later chaos. I have no faith in any process here. In a snap decision I say I will not go in and keep both bags, she disappears to get them.
I see Craig and for the first time in the day I see John Gibbons. John looks a bit distressed as he shouts towards me. After the fact, I find out someone he knows has ended up being very badly treated. At the time I shout to him I am fine but the bags need sorting. He disappears up the steps. The game is well underway.
Only one bag is produced for me. Mine. This is completely counter productive. I want to make sure me, Gareth and Craig can make our plane and so I want Craig’s bag. I am trying to explain that but the stewards have had enough and start trying to force me out. Then they get the police involved. I think my body language was completely non threatening. But I’m 6ft1in and dressed wearing a bright red tracksuit top.
When being aggressively removed by one ridiculously over-zealous police officer in particular I tell him to relax. I have no Spanish but he does the opposite until it is clear his colleague does likewise. I’m going, I say. I’m going. His colleague agrees, asserts. The aggression diminishes.
Others weren’t as lucky with their police officers it seems. Everyone wants to talk fast. Anna Burgess has been stopped from entering because of her flag which she thought had been prior approved and then she has been forcibly stopped from going in.
We’ve been ‘managed’ into the same section by police/stewards. Fans have been beaten up by police for no reason. People were denied entry for fuck all. Loads missed kick off and the first goal despite turning up in good time. Now the announcement says we’re being kept in. Why? pic.twitter.com/SbkguEMN4s
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) 21 November 2017
Sam Armstrong is there and Sam is marvellousness personified but in hindsight, and if I were a proper journalist, I should have grabbed them both — and more — there and then, but we were all safe, outside the perimeter and I decided I wanted to document what happened to me quickly, neutrally, while I remember the order of events clearly and communicate to Craig et al I am not in the stadium. Those who had also been refused entry wanted to go back into the city. That option is not open to me. I have to wait to get the flight.
I am, among all this, shown a video of a supporter being ridiculously wrestled to the ground by a policeman. An act of aggression which looks outrageous.
The thing is that I’m fine. I’m in a warm bar as I type. I’m not upset as the above should confirm. All has been written before the second half has begun, has been written in that gap between the third and the second half kicking off.
My point is this — bad decisions have been made under needlessly really bad circumstances by people inadequately supported. A mentality was wrong first and foremost. Police visors were down and, it appears, from the video I saw, a man was assaulted. I was manhandled when there was no need. I saw no Liverpool stewards anywhere.
It was an absolute mess and questions should be asked and answered. My hopes are not up. Reflection is not something which authorities are good at without being made to be and I hold out no hope this will happen here. Liverpool Football Club need to support their supporters as a bare minimum.
More will come out. I’ve written down my experience here. Others will be far worse, I am certain of that.
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It’s also a shame. A massive shame. Seville is marvellous, you know. It’s picturesque without being twee. It’s a terrific place, gorgeous and reasonably priced and alive. It isn’t Disneyland. I’d recommend it to anyone. Unless you are going the game.
The game. I see Sevilla’s comeback on television. They throw themselves at the second half. They scrap and battle and pull themselves into the game. The Liverpool manager makes changes to protect his footballers and good on him for that but finally the pressure breaks.
Liverpool concede late. Painful. Frustrating. This thing of ours — I shouldn’t be thinking of that but obviously I am. I am. Let’s make sure we go through top now. Win the final game.
Get home safely everyone. It goes from here.
Much love as per. Much care. Because if we don’t care who will?
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Pics: David Rawcliffe-Propaganda Photo
Hope you get home safe lads
Sorry to hear of the bad experience. Not sure who got roughed up more, Neil. You, or the Generous Reds in the 2nd half. Moreno should never play again in a game with Sevilla…
Bloody hell Neil – that sounds awful. I wonder what made the authorities so jittery. Hope you and everyone else get home safely.
If you saw the UFEA Cup Final then you saw this game. Same clown at leftback. Same lack of backbone. Same result.
Hopefully at our next away game in the CL this season, because we will have one, Robertson is not left outside the stadium.
I have forgiven Albie. We will still top the group.
We go again.
Well done for keeping your head and getting this out Neil. Pity yours and many others night has been fucked besides the result but I’m sure you have a decent platform to at least get your “experience “ heard. Whether it gets acted on is something else and I just don’t get it when people that it’s the way it always is there. It shouldn’t fucking be!! Stay safe
Stay safe boys. Bloody ridiculous and unfortunately not surprising. Bolton Wanderers friends treated exactly the same many years ago at a European game in Spain. He still has the baton mark across his back.
Sorry to hear about Neil’s problems and indeed other Liverpool fans experiences , LFC should ensure our own stewards travel with and support our fans on European away matches , returning to the game , fantastic first half , a surrender second half , it felt like a defeat , Moreno gave away silly free kick and stupid penalty , from which they scored two goals , I would like Robertson given more game time . Let’s motive for the Chelsea game and really go for it against Moscow at anfield , still top the group , up the reds !!!! Get home safe taw and red fans .
Sorry to hear of this. Like the ‘bad old days’ again. Hope all Reds get back safely
With the racist chanting from Roma fans against Rudiger, something we’ve seen many times from continental sides, most notably from the Spain national team fans in 04 vs England’s black players, to the treatment of fans described here, perhaps good old Blighty and the way we do things here isn’t so bad as in Europe.
For the stick our police gets, they certainly treat fans than many Euro police
Think I would have completely lost my rag so fair play to you Neil , Bloody outrageous, hope all involved get home safe and well.
Hi Neil, thanks for the article despite the ridiculous police brutality. I hope you and the others involved are safe home by the time you read this.
WTF is up with these assholes?! I was in Spain — Madrid, Barcelona (where the police also beat up their own for voting or trying to), and Sevilla. My wife and I absolutely loved the Sevilla the favorite of the three and the people; granted it was a vacation, but still, didn’t expect this shit from them.
Sorry to hear about this though and I hope nobody was too hurt in all of it.
As for the game, the result felt like a loss, but we’re still top.
I know Alberto has turned some corner some where, as we’ve seen him do a good job improving, but it’s like a Jekyll and Hyde performance tonight.
First half it was Alberto Moreno
Second Half it was Alberto No-Braino
Between him and Lovren (and Klavan) it must be a game of Russian Roulette for Klopp trying to manage them and their mistakes.
There’s still a lot of work to do in the defensive side of things, as the last goal was from a corner, and after scoring two against them from set pieces, we should’ve learned that they would take their chances too.
Anyways, I hope Klopp manages to do shore up the defense somehow, before bringing in the new hope in Jan (if that even happens). It will be too much to expect from any new defensive player.
Overall I enjoyed the game, and think we can top this group and go through the next round. Sparktak is not going to be easy for sure after their draw tonight as well.
Chelsea coming up next and I hope they choke tomorrow in their CL game along with the Scum.
Wish you all at the game a safe trip home.
Up the Reds!
Hope everyone is ok and gets home safely, then get onto Tony Barrett asap and let’s see if his fan liaison job role actually carries any weight to get this looked into properly and quickly…
Seems the lessons still aren’t being learned by those in authority. This is really depressing. Fuck knows how much worse this kind of shit gets after Brexit.
Let’s hope the club come out, strongly condemn it and support the fans on this one.
Frank C – what on earth is this to do with Brexit????
Why would it get worse???
No offense but you sound exactly like you have no idea what you’re talking about. Do the Swiss team Young Boys or a Norwegian team get particular ‘beats’ from Spanish police and cower in fear at present?
Seriously man
Seriously, not saying this is a result of Brexit, more about the subliminal message it sends and how in a small and subtle way it plays on the sub-conscious of some.
It wasn’t that long ago that a British Minister was talking about military action against Spain to defend Gibraltar!
Get home safe all of you. The game is another classic Liverpool rollercoaster. I love this team and manager but it feels like we should grow up a little …. at times.
Get onto Tony Barrett asap.
Really sorry that it turned into a shite night for you all. I was reading the local Seville newspaper today and the headline was ‘The English fans aren’t what they used to be’. The locals were surprised that the Liverpool fans didn’t conform to the stereotype, which makes me think that the police had been briefed to expect exactly that.
Hope everyone is ok.It sounds a bit like going to the match at away grounds in the 60’s 70’s and 80’s. Guilty till proven innocent?
But the game itself wasn’t like going to those venues in those days.It used to be one or two goals up then put the shutters up.Keep possession and fall over if somebody comes near you especially in Italy. No point in chasing it if you are 2 or 3 nil up away.
But no we now try an score more and fall flat on our faces!
Somebody has to learn a lesson from Paisley here.
Are you listening Jurgen?
I’ve only been to one European away (Benfica) but it was exactly like this. The crush outside, the ‘any seats’, kept in, riot police with shields and visors lining the corridor so we could only walk in single file.
Cannot wait for the season to end so I can return my season ticket of 28 years back to the Club. Reading things like this makes me realise more than ever how sick to death I am of football. Roll on May.
Despicable behaviour by the ‘authorities’. As you say, probably fuck all will be done about it. I’m with Michael – Tony Barrett needs to be on this one.
Are you going to be doing a show on this today?
Specifically on the problems with the policing I mean.
I’m sorry to hear about your experience Neil, sours a good day out. I hope you and the gang got back ok after the game.
Reminder for us all – get to aways early if you want to get in without having to deal with stewarding and police who are unable to handle the pressure put on them by a poor entry process.
You have to pay the sins comitted by Brits abroad. Do you know what Liverpool and other English clubs did in the 80s? Do you know how horribly the drunk tourists behave in Marbella, Mallorca, Canarias, etc?
I feel the English fans receive the treatment they deserve. How can a steward or a policeman distingish between a good person and the usual drunk, violent and disgusting typical English half a human half an animal?
Sorry, but any action taken by the police against English fans is justified. This is the only possible way.
Yo Dario, I am not English, I don’t know if you are or not, but I do care about how people are treated anywhere. So no this is not the only possible way as you state.
I think your comment is assuming all those individuals who were treated this way at the stadium/match were all misbehaving like their alleged forefathers, when you, nor I,know for a fact what really happened. It also smacks of stereotyping like you know all those fans.
Btw there are assholes from Spain, USA, and other countries too, especially the authorities. Some are worse than others, but they do exist.
Having visited Barca this past October, I had a chance to witness the wonderful treatment the Spanish authorities gave the Catalan individuals who wanted to vote.
So according to you then, these voters must be paying for their forefathers’ behavior??
Police brutality and especially people in authority who abuse their duty is quite evident and all too familiar. I live in the USA which is one of the prime examples of this.
However nobody deserves this treatment, and not everything is always known about the situations or people on both sides, that may or may not have caused them to react like this.
I’m not English, but I have lived in England and I know them. In England everything is “sorry”, “pardon” and “thank you”, but when they take a plane and land in a foreign country their beaviour changes 180°. I have witnessed it too many times in my hometown, Seville, and many others. Their usual attitude is disgusting and they behave violently. Do you know what they did in the sector of Sevilla fans during the final of Basel?
By the way, do you know that hundreds of Russians attacked sevilistas before and after Sevilla-Spartak? Do you know they tried to enter violently inside the stadium?
In Barcelona there was an illegal act which costed dozens of millions of euros of public resources. They didn’t “try to vote”, they participated in a criminal act. Did they want to vote? Let’s go and organise a legal referendum. Btw, there were merely two injured people, an insignificant number in comparison to the alleged “2 million of voters”.
Police is sometimes brutal, I agree, above all with some minorities in USA. However, they must behave strictly in some occassions, and some of them are international matches when English, Polish, Russian and other fans with a justified violent fame try to share a football spectacle with civilised human beings.
Dario, while I agree there are some fans from different countries especially the ones you stated, who are trouble makers, I don’t think Sevilla fans or its police are innocent either. It’s easy as I stated before to stereotype.
Here is a video from the Sevilla vs Spartak match. It is interesting to note that the guy with the political sign is speaking in Spanish. Is he from Seville? What if he did not make this sign in the first place that seems politically charged?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SRWcJx2Zks
Seville Police also beat the Russian fans from what I saw in other videos and read about it. Do the Seville Police like beating football fans from other countries just because of their reputation?
Since I don’t know the whole story, and I wasn’t there to know what exactly happened, it’s hard to say, but if you make signs like this guy in the video, someone is not going to agree and it can escalate into unnecessary violence especially if their judgement and thinking is inhibited by alcohol.
Add to it, different languages and miscommunication can cause some serious problems.
So I think you assume too much of everyone, because of their reputation, including the Catalan people, by saying it was merely 2 people only who were hurt. Were you there on October 1st?
Sash, that guy is an old man, probably mentally ill. He didn’t deserved being punch by the Russians fans. Does it makes sense punching elderly people? These same Russians went to the youth match and intimidated our fans, players and the police.
About Cataluña, I wasn’t there on 1st October, but the official data is clear: two hospitalised men (one of them suffered a stroke). All this Catalan thing is a big pantomime, believe me.
Dario
It’s a shame that your experience of Brits makes you feel that way. Using your logic of course, I would assume that you are a racist along with all your fellow countrymen as I remember monkey chants coming from Spanish fans in two football matches. I don’t know if you are a racist or not, but hopefully you can see that me judging you as such and treating you accordingly without having met you would be wrong?
You ask “How can a steward or a policeman distingish between a good person and the usual drunk, violent and disgusting typical English half a human half an animal?”. The answer is in the same way that I would determine whether a Spanish person is racist or not – by seeing how they behave and judging them as an individual.
Not too difficult eh?
Oh ps. you mention Brits and English as if they are interchangeable. Do you mean Brits, English or are they all “half human, half animal” to you?
If you ask me if Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid fans are racist, my answer is undoubtedly YES. No only are they racist, but also violent and unrespectful. You have all your right to generalise when you talk about them: they show fascist flags in every match, they make monkey chants and they have killed and injuried two many innocent people. If it was my decision, I would ban those clubs from European competitions.
Sorry for using the term “Brits”, I meant just English. I don’t know people from North Irelans, but from my experience the Scottish are different from the English and the Welsh.
We are talking about football, about fans, about hooligans. There is an undisputable truth: English fans have starred some of the most horrible episodes of our sport, from Heysel to France (last year). However, I think English police worked in the right way to reduce incidents: matches at 1pm, controlling violent hooligans, etc.
From my humble opinion, English abroad are always a focus of troubles. Past behaviours are frequently an accurate prediction for the future. It is not surprising that Molde fans didn’t complain about the police in Seville, is it?