Merseyside Police have claimed the 'vast majority' of Marine fans who lined the streets ahead of Sunday's game against Tottenham Hotspur were socially distanced.
Northern Premier League Division One North West side Marine hosted Premier League Spurs on Sunday evening, in the biggest gap between two sides in FA Cup history.
Fans weren't allowed in the ground due to the national lockdown, although some fans got to see the match as houses back onto the ground, however the roads leading up to the ground were full of fans greeting the Spurs team coach.
Many on social media were critical of the scenes but Merseyside Police have claimed that a 'vast majority' of fans were distancing.
"Officers are in Crosby this afternoon ahead of Marine FC's FA Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur," a statement from Superintendent Andy Rankine said.
"A small gathering took place ahead of the arrival of the team coaches, and road closures were put in place to facilitate this arrival safely. The vast majority of people present were adhering to social-distancing measures and those who were not were advised by officers.
"As we have done throughout this pandemic, we will always strive to encourage people to disperse and go home peacefully.
"But where we face blatant breaches of legislation, people ignoring the restrictions and even obstructing police from carrying out their duty, our officers will not hesitate to take enforcement action.
"Those attending have now left the area and we hope everyone enjoys the occasion safely at home."
Despite that claim, the videos and social media posts on Sunday from outside the ground didn't make for comfortable viewing for many.
Der englische Achtligist FC Marine spielt derzeit im #FACup gegen #TottenhamHotspur. Die Coronaregeln spielten für die Fans bei der Anreise des Teams jedoch kaum eine Rolle. pic.twitter.com/FzoRoiOvDG
— Deutschlandfunk Sport (@DLF_Sport) January 10, 2021
We are in Tier 4 unless you’re Marine fan 🤷🏼♂️pic.twitter.com/h4V2F816mc
— 𝕾𝖍𝖊𝖒’𝖘 𝕮𝖍𝖊𝖑𝖘𝖊𝖆 (@ShemTaborCFC) January 10, 2021
Marine FC fans welcoming the team to the ground today. pic.twitter.com/cZ6T6W5XyJ
— The Away Fans Videos (@TheAwayFansVids) January 10, 2021
I love football and love that it’s still being played at professional level. However seeing this outside Marine FC ground this afternoon ahead of the FA Cup game v Spurs today leaves me speechless and very angry 😡 #FACup pic.twitter.com/eGdHzX5BOj
— Doug 💙 (@DougF1964) January 10, 2021
Spurs avoided the traditional FA Cup upset by beating their non-league opposition to win 5-0. They go into Monday's draw for both the fourth and fifth rounds.
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/foul-play-police-insist-majority-of-marine-fc-fans-were-socially-distanced-20210111
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