Liverpool FC Urges Fans to Celebrate Safely Amid Pyrotechnics Warning Ahead of Victory Parade

Liverpool Football Club is calling on fans to leave flares and smoke bombs at home as the city prepares to celebrate the club’s latest Premier League title triumph with a victory parade on Monday. With hundreds of thousands expected to line the 10-mile route, officials are stressing the importance of safety after dozens were injured during recent celebrations outside Anfield.

Last month’s jubilations following the Reds' historic 20th league title win saw 50 people suffer burns from flares, including a three-year-old child. The aftermath prompted a city-wide response from Liverpool FC, Merseyside Police, Liverpool City Council, and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to address the growing concern around pyrotechnic use.

The hospital treated multiple young patients for serious burns to their hands, face, and scalp, injuries linked directly to pyrotechnic misuse. In light of this, fans are being urged to protect children and refrain from using any form of fireworks or flares.

“This parade is about celebration and joy – and bringing dangerous items like flares and smoke bombs only puts yourself and fellow fans at risk,” said Matt Ashton, Liverpool City Council’s Director of Public Health and a passionate supporter of the club.

The 2022 parade celebrating Liverpool's FA Cup and Carabao Cup victories also saw significant safety issues, with St John Ambulance reporting 84 injuries, including 12 hospitalisations, many due to burns.

Chief Inspector Chris Barnes of Merseyside Police, who will oversee Monday’s celebrations, expressed concern about the rising trend of pyrotechnic use at football events.

“Some of the injuries we've seen have been absolutely horrific, some life-changing, and we just want to avoid that,” Ch Insp Barnes said. “Some of these flares, we've been told, can burn up to 2,500C, so they are really really dangerous.”

Echoing this, Ch Insp Barnes made a direct appeal to parents and guardians: “Don't be that parent or guardian that's got to explain to Alder Hey hospital, to the doctor, that your child has got significant injuries due to you giving them a flare.” He added that professional pyrotechnic displays will be featured along the parade route and urged fans to leave it to the experts.

Paul Cuttill, Liverpool FC’s vice-president of stadium operations, underlined the club’s desire for a safe, joyful occasion: “We want our supporters to enjoy a fantastic occasion and celebrate our 20th league title win in style through the city streets, but we want it be safe for everyone,” he said. “We’ve seen young children suffering burns injuries as a result of the use of pyrotechnics and, together with our city partners, are taking a responsible approach to highlight just how dangerous they are.”

The club noted a worrying rise in the use of pyrotechnics, particularly after their recent win against Tottenham, during which numerous burn injuries were recorded.

As the city readies for Monday’s celebrations, Liverpool’s message remains clear: enjoy the occasion, but do so without pyrotechnics.

Adding to the weekend’s festivities, Alan Hansen, former Liverpool captain and Match of the Day pundit, will take part in Sunday’s trophy presentation to Virgil van Dijk following the match against Crystal Palace. Hansen, who returned to health after a serious illness, will help hand over the Premier League trophy to cap off the Reds’ landmark season.

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