Jurgen Klopp issues emotional plea for peace after Liverpool fan incident
Written by News on 27/04/2018
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has called for peace between supporters at the Champions League semi-final second leg in Rome next week.
While Sean Cox remains in a critical condition in hospital following an incident outside Anfield on Tuesday, and an emergency security meeting took place in Italy, Klopp implored fans to “behave” when the two sides meet again.
Klopp wore an Irish tricolour Liver bird as a show of support for the Cox family as he addressed the media ahead of the Premier League home clash with Stoke on Saturday, and he called for an end to the “most ugly face” of the game.
“The game on Tuesday night showed the beauty of the game, during the game, and it showed its most ugly face before the game,” the German said.
“When I first heard about it, I cannot describe my emotions in English, to be honest. That should never have happened. It should never have happened before, should never happen in the future.
“We all have to do things to make sure we don’t have many more things like that.
“The solution for it, probably nobody has that. It’s unbelievable that something like this can happen. All our thoughts and prayers are with Sean and his family at the moment.”
The 53-year-old Cox remains at Walton Neurological Centre, Merseyside, police have said, following an incident that has seen two Italian men charged and kept in custody.
Liverpool, Roma, UEFA and Italian authorities were locked in a meeting at the site of the Italian Interior Ministry on Friday after the Merseyside club expressed deep reservations over the security operation for Wednesday’s second leg.
“My whole life, I never thought it’s nice they have a fight next to the stadium,” Klopp continued. “I’m sure all involved in keeping people safe do their best, in the modern world it will be possible. I’m not too concerned about that.
“But I really ask for responsibility from everybody. It’s a football game, not more, not less. If Roma win the game and go to the final, they will deserve it. If we do, we will.”
Asked for a message to Liverpool fans travelling to Rome, Klopp said: “Behave.”
Anyone with information can contact Merseyside Police via @MerPolCC or Facebook Merseyside Police CC. You can also call 101 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information-online.
(c) Sky News 2018: Jurgen Klopp issues emotional plea for peace after Liverpool fan incident
