Post by QPR Report on Feb 19, 2009 15:29:12 GMT
BBC - Move to ban football fans fails
Police asked the council to consider having the game played behind closed doors
A police bid to have a derby football match played behind closed doors has been rejected by North East Lincolnshire Council.
Senior officers from Humberside Police had tried to persuade Grimsby Town to change the kick off time from 1500 GMT to 1200 GMT, but the club refused.
Council officials said safety or security would not be affected by keeping the later kick off time.
Humberside Police said they respected the council's decision.
In a statement North East Lincolnshire Council said the authority was satisfied there was "no serious risk to safety" by allowing fans to attend the 1500 GMT kick off.
The statement said: "The Grimsby Town v Lincoln City match originally scheduled to take place at Blundell Park on 7 March at 1200 GMT has been rescheduled by the Grimsby Town Football Club to 1500 GMT.
"This decision was taken by the club after negotiations with Humberside Police failed to reach agreement as to the start time.
"The Divisional Commander, Ch Supt Hilditch, requested that the council consider prohibiting all away fans from attending the match or prohibit all fans from attending the match if the start time were 1500 GMT."
The statement added the council did have powers under the Safety of Sports Ground Act to prohibit or restrict the admission of spectators to a sports ground "if the council is satisfied there is a serious risk to the safety of spectators".
"In this light, the council carefully considered the evidence available to it but felt that public safety at Blundell Park was not being put at serious risk by a 3pm kick-off rather than a noon kick-off.
"The council recognises that appropriate planning and risk mitigation meetings will take place between both the football club and Humberside Police to minimise any risks that may be associated with the match."
In a statement Humberside Police said: "The original kick-off time for the match between Grimsby Town and Lincoln City had been agreed as part of the usual pre-season planning.
"The early kick-off time was based on the known history and circumstances of the two clubs and was intended to minimise risks to public safety."
Ch Supt David Hilditch said he respected the council's decision not to restrict the number of spectators attending the match.
Police asked the council to consider having the game played behind closed doors
A police bid to have a derby football match played behind closed doors has been rejected by North East Lincolnshire Council.
Senior officers from Humberside Police had tried to persuade Grimsby Town to change the kick off time from 1500 GMT to 1200 GMT, but the club refused.
Council officials said safety or security would not be affected by keeping the later kick off time.
Humberside Police said they respected the council's decision.
In a statement North East Lincolnshire Council said the authority was satisfied there was "no serious risk to safety" by allowing fans to attend the 1500 GMT kick off.
The statement said: "The Grimsby Town v Lincoln City match originally scheduled to take place at Blundell Park on 7 March at 1200 GMT has been rescheduled by the Grimsby Town Football Club to 1500 GMT.
"This decision was taken by the club after negotiations with Humberside Police failed to reach agreement as to the start time.
"The Divisional Commander, Ch Supt Hilditch, requested that the council consider prohibiting all away fans from attending the match or prohibit all fans from attending the match if the start time were 1500 GMT."
The statement added the council did have powers under the Safety of Sports Ground Act to prohibit or restrict the admission of spectators to a sports ground "if the council is satisfied there is a serious risk to the safety of spectators".
"In this light, the council carefully considered the evidence available to it but felt that public safety at Blundell Park was not being put at serious risk by a 3pm kick-off rather than a noon kick-off.
"The council recognises that appropriate planning and risk mitigation meetings will take place between both the football club and Humberside Police to minimise any risks that may be associated with the match."
In a statement Humberside Police said: "The original kick-off time for the match between Grimsby Town and Lincoln City had been agreed as part of the usual pre-season planning.
"The early kick-off time was based on the known history and circumstances of the two clubs and was intended to minimise risks to public safety."
Ch Supt David Hilditch said he respected the council's decision not to restrict the number of spectators attending the match.
