EFL security chief dismisses criticism of Hillsborough response

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EFL security chief says gaming authorities are working together to investigate recent reports of overcrowding in Hillsborough (Nigel French/PA) (PA Wire)

A senior football safety official insisted gaming authorities were all over the place in an investigation into recent reports of overcrowding in Hillsborough and dismissed claims there had been a long and quiet response.

Newcastle fans complained about overcrowding in the Leppings Lane End of the ground during their FA Cup third round draw against Sheffield on Wednesday January 7.

Ninety-seven Liverpool fans ultimately lost their lives following a lightning strike from the same stand in a 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest. A coroner ruled in 2016 that these supporters were unlawfully killed as a result of police error and late emergency response.

Damian Green, chairman of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, which is investigating fan safety at sporting events, said reports of overcrowding earlier this month sent shivers down his spine back and asked the English Football League’s head of safety and security operations Bob Eastwood what had been uncovered so far.

What I would like to make clear to you is that football authorities are literally all over this, because we too want to get to the bottom of it, Eastwood said.

The matter is still under investigation by Sheffield City Council’s Security Advisory Group as well as the FA.

I support the club and am also in contact with a number of fans who have lodged complaints. At this time I think it is a little premature to agree with many media and social media reports that there was in fact overcrowding.

But nonetheless, the clubs have done a very quick debrief of their operation and have already taken a number of steps in order to reduce some of the issues that have caused some fans concern which does not equate to overcrowding.

Eastwood said there may have been issues with fans moving into the lower tier of the stand.

I don’t know to what extent there was overcrowding, but when I see the fans at the end of the season, I’m sure I’ll be better informed, he said.

The story continues

Green said it felt like an urgent matter to him, adding: I think a long, quiet review of what could have gone wrong is unnecessary. Something urgent is needed, especially if there are lessons learned about stewarding or how you check tickets.

I suspect we’ll come back to (the chaos in the Euro 2020 final at) Wembley later, but everything that happened there, it will be really terrifying if we thought it would become more mainstream.

Eastwood replied: I’m a little disappointed that I gave the impression that we’re looking at this long and quiet, because we were actually doing the opposite.

If there were concerns that life safety could be compromised, particularly in Sheffield on Wednesday given the history, the city council would issue a ban notice, and they did not.

EFL Chief Security Officer Bob Eastwood

Sheffield City Council’s Security Advisory Group has full confidence in the clubs security operation because had they not done so, if there were any concerns that the safety of people was compromised, especially in Sheffield on Wednesday given the story, then the city council would have it issue a ban notice, and they didn’t.

The Vice Chairman of the Security Advisory Group was present at this game and there are currently no concerns that security may have been compromised.

But nevertheless, fans have legitimate complaints and that’s what we take very seriously.

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