Police call for SIX 'high risk' Premier League games to be moved to neutral venues over crowd fears... with Liverpool, Man United, Man City and Newcastle all facing big-game switches
by Ian Herbert For Mailonline- Police have identified six 'high risk' PL games that could be at neutral venues
- There are concerns fans could gather near grounds and breach lockdown rules
- Liverpool's matches are of particular concern given they will win the title soon
- There is concern about two Newcastle games amid their impending takeover
Police have identified six fixtures of particular concern which will be staged at neutral venues when the Premier League returns, Sportsmail can reveal.
Three games involving Liverpool will be moved to a neutral venue, including the Merseyside derby and their likely title-winning game, though there is no possibility of Jurgen Klopp and Carlo Ancelotti's sides meeting in Manchester.
There is also a concern about two Newcastle games.
The full list of games police hold concerns over are: Manchester City v Liverpool, Manchester City v Newcastle, Manchester United v Sheffield United, Newcastle v Liverpool, Everton v Liverpool and the game which takes Liverpool to the title.
THE SIX GAMES POLICE FEAR MOST
Manchester City v Liverpool
Manchester City v Newcastle
Manchester United v Sheffield United
Newcastle v Liverpool
Everton v Liverpool
Liverpool's title-winning game
Other games that could be moved include:
Tottenham v West Ham; Liverpool vs Crystal Palace; West Ham v Chelsea, Liverpool v Aston Villa; Crystal Palace v Chelsea; Liverpool v Burnley; Tottenham v Arsenal; Liverpool v Chelsea; Crystal Palace v Tottenham
At Thursday's Premier League meeting 12 games were mentioned as potentially being moved to neutral venues - including a series of London derbies, as revealed by Sportsmail. The clubs involved still expect these matches to be moved, too.
The six fixtures of main concerns have been identified after individual forces were asked which games concerned them.
As yet, there are no fixtures relating to relegation-threatened sides, which could avoid the row over neutral venues which saw the bottom six insist that they wanted to retain home advantage.
But Sportsmail understands that additional relegation fixtures could be added if that aspect of the resumed season creates crunch matches in which large numbers are likely to gather.
A Premier League statement released on Friday said: 'Our ambition is to complete all of our remaining fixtures this season home and away, where possible.
'We are working with our clubs to ensure risks are assessed and minimised, while co-operating with the police at a local and national level. Discussions with the National Police Chiefs' Council and UK Football Policing Unit have been positive and are continuing. We are prepared for all outcomes and have a neutral venue contingency'.
Deputy chief constable Mark Roberts of South Yorkshire Police, the UK's football policing lead, added: 'Our discussions with the Premier League throughout this process have been positive, with a shared focus on the priority of public health.
'As such we have reached a consensus that balances the needs of football, while also minimising the demand on policing.
'The majority of remaining matches will be played at home and away as scheduled, with a small number of fixtures taking place at neutral venues, which, contrary to some reports, have yet to be agreed.'
It has not yet been decided where neutral games will be staged. Some of Britain's 43 police force areas have said they are willing to stage them. Some have indicated they are not.
Discussions on that will now take place between the Premier League and senior football police officers, who today praised the league for their cooperative and positive contribution to security discussions.
Greater Manchester Police, whose chief constable expressed concerns about some fixtures two weeks ago, have identified three fixtures in their force area as ones they prefer to be held at neutral venues.
The United v Sheffield United match is unexpected and could be a consequence of the two cities' relative proximity and this being the Blades' first season back in the top flight.
Newcastle's huge fan base clearly concerns officers, with the possible Saudi takeover at St James Park heightening the air of expectation.
Liverpool need just two more wins to capture the Premier League and it could come as early as the opening weekend, if Manchester City lose to Arsenal and they beat Everton.
The likes of Leeds and West Brom in the Championship could also be asked to play at neutral venues as both are edging towards promotion.
A plan is now in place for the Premier League season to be concluded by July 25, with 92 games to be held in 39 days.
Premier League chief Richard Masters said in a statement on Thursday: He said: 'We have provisionally agreed to resume the Premier League on Wednesday, June 17.
'But this date cannot be confirmed until we have met all the safety requirements needed, as the health and welfare of all participants and supporters is our priority.
'Sadly, matches will have to take place without fans in stadiums, so we are pleased to have come up with a positive solution for supporters to be able to watch all the remaining 92 matches.
'The Premier League and our clubs are proud to have incredibly passionate and loyal supporters.
'It is important to ensure as many people as possible can watch the matches at home.'