A Liverpool fan has been handed a three-year ban from football and a community order following a criminal act he displayed before a game between Manchester United and Liverpool.
What happened?
In December 2023, a man identified as Lewis Cleary was accused of launching a glass bottle at a Manchester United team bus carrying the club's players and coach Erik ten Hag as the bus made its way to Anfield Stadium.
The 23-year-old Cleary later landed at Sefton Magistrates of Langove Street, Liverpool, before he was given a three-year ban from attending football games, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also told to pay a £500 compensation order and costs.
According to reports, the bus was harmed when a hefty group of Liverpool fans gathered at Anfield Road to welcome their old rivals. Fortunately, no injuries were recorded.
The fixture in question ended in a 0-0 draw at Anfield.
The incident prompted the Reds to launch a security upgrade around Manchester City during their visit to Anfield earlier this month to prevent any antisocial behavior and they achieved their goal.
Pep Guardiola and his players took a different route to the stadium and arrived without any incident.
Other cases of fans attacking Premier League clubs' team buses
This is not the first time a team bus was attacked in the English Premier League.
The same incident occurred during a match between Manchester City and Liverpool in April 2023, where Greater Manchester Police launched an investigation as the Liverpool team bus was reportedly damaged.
The game in question was a contest between the two Premier League giants on Saturday, April 1, 2023, where the match ended 4-1 in favour of Man City.
While there were also offensive chants directed to Liverpool fans by Man City supporters during the game, GMP opened the investigation into the attack on the bus as it left the Etihad Stadium after the game.
In May 2016, a West Ham United fan was punished after he attacked the Man United team bus before a game between the two Premier League clubs.
The London club threatened to hand the fan in question a life ban after he was found guilty of the criminal act.
There have been other cases of Premier League fans getting punished for offensive acts such as racial abuse. The major penalty for such a behavior has largely been match bans.
What's next?
Liverpool and Manchester United will be seen next in action when they lock horns in the FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford on Sunday, March 17.
What happened?
In December 2023, a man identified as Lewis Cleary was accused of launching a glass bottle at a Manchester United team bus carrying the club's players and coach Erik ten Hag as the bus made its way to Anfield Stadium.
The 23-year-old Cleary later landed at Sefton Magistrates of Langove Street, Liverpool, before he was given a three-year ban from attending football games, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also told to pay a £500 compensation order and costs.
According to reports, the bus was harmed when a hefty group of Liverpool fans gathered at Anfield Road to welcome their old rivals. Fortunately, no injuries were recorded.
The fixture in question ended in a 0-0 draw at Anfield.
The incident prompted the Reds to launch a security upgrade around Manchester City during their visit to Anfield earlier this month to prevent any antisocial behavior and they achieved their goal.
Pep Guardiola and his players took a different route to the stadium and arrived without any incident.
Other cases of fans attacking Premier League clubs' team buses
This is not the first time a team bus was attacked in the English Premier League.
The same incident occurred during a match between Manchester City and Liverpool in April 2023, where Greater Manchester Police launched an investigation as the Liverpool team bus was reportedly damaged.
The game in question was a contest between the two Premier League giants on Saturday, April 1, 2023, where the match ended 4-1 in favour of Man City.
While there were also offensive chants directed to Liverpool fans by Man City supporters during the game, GMP opened the investigation into the attack on the bus as it left the Etihad Stadium after the game.
In May 2016, a West Ham United fan was punished after he attacked the Man United team bus before a game between the two Premier League clubs.
The London club threatened to hand the fan in question a life ban after he was found guilty of the criminal act.
There have been other cases of Premier League fans getting punished for offensive acts such as racial abuse. The major penalty for such a behavior has largely been match bans.
What's next?
Liverpool and Manchester United will be seen next in action when they lock horns in the FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford on Sunday, March 17.