Liverpool action ‘does not wash’ after unsavoury incidents – ‘it will take more than a warning’, says pundit
Paul Robinson has claimed “it will take more than a warning” to stop sections of Man City and Liverpool fans misbehaving when the two clubs meet.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Spurs and England number one said the Premier League giants are just ticking a box by writing to fans.
As reported by the Mail, Liverpool and Manchester City have threatened fans with stadium bans if guilty of ‘unacceptable behaviour’ at Thursday’s clash in an attempt to quell toxicity between the fan bases.
The rivals meet in the League Cup fourth round on Thursday night, two months after a tempestuous affair at Anfield that saw tensions further escalate and relations hit an all-time low.
Allegations of coin throwing at Pep Guardiola, offensive chanting, graffiti regarding the Hillsborough disaster and a claim of an attack on City’s coach marred Liverpool’s 1-0 Premier League victory.
In a message sent to season ticket holders and supporters with memberships, the clubs vowed to issue “bans to those found to be responsible” of disorder at the Etihad.
When asked by Football Insider for his reaction to the actions from the clubs, Robinson said: “You have to applaud the clubs for taking a proactive stance on it but let’s be honest, what good is a letter going to do.
“It is a box-ticking exercise. Yes, it is good that they are doing the right thing. If anything happens in the future they can counter it by saying, ‘We wrote the fans a letter.’
“It does not really wash though. I don’t think it will make much difference.
“It is down to the fans. The fans behaved well at the World Cup. It can be done.
“There is a rivalry building between Man City and Liverpool supporters. It will take more than a warning from the clubs to sort the situation out.”
In other news, a pundit has claimed Josko Gvardiol could be taking ‘big risk’ by joining Man City after journalist’s update.