Inquiry launched into Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid Champions League clash

Liverpool City Council have launched an investigation into the impact Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid had on the spread of the coronavirus. 

European matches across the continent were being staged behind closed doors or postponed indefinitely when the pair played in front of 52,000 fans at Anfield on 11 March in the last 16 of the competition.

The fixture was the last major football game to be played in England, with the Premier League and Football League seasons suspended two days later. 

According to BBC Sport, the Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram has appealed for an independent inquiry, undertaken by Liverpool City Council and John Moores University.

A spokesperson told BBC Sport: “Liverpool City Council, alongside partners at the University of Liverpool and John Moores University, have agreed to explore any impact of Covid-19 as a result of the Atletico Madrid match at Anfield on 11 March. Liverpool City Council’s public health team, alongside partners, is currently assessing the size and scope of the project.”

3,000 Atletico Madrid supporters traveled to Liverpool to watch the game, despite fans in Spain not being able to watch their own team play at home at the time as a result of the outbreak. 

The inquiry was commissioned by Liverpool’s mayor Joe Anderson, who told the Liverpool Echo, “I have asked Matt Ashton (Liverpool’s public health director) and his team to conduct a full investigation into any potential link between the match and the situation with coronavirus in the city.”

He also questioned the fact that Atletico fans were allowed to travel on what basis when they could not even attend a game played on their home ground. 

Anderson felt that the decision was absurd but the government and UEFA decided the game should go ahead. According to him, Matt will be working with the universities to see if the data an give any indication of any possible threat.

featured image credits- dailymail.co.uk