- Mail Sport revealed that the Premier League would pay police officers around £7m
- This was seen as an attempt to allow big matches to be held in lucrative time slots.
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Manchester United’s clash with rivals Liverpool will kick off at a late kick-off following the Premier League’s ‘sweetening’ of police.
But Sunday’s high-stakes encounter starts half an hour earlier than television bosses wanted amid concerns from the local force.
Sports mail In January it was revealed that the competition was to pay various security forces around £7m in what some saw as a not-so-discreet attempt to allow big matches to take place in the more lucrative later broadcast slots.
And the gift, which league officials said was made as a “thank you” rather than to facilitate kickoff times, appears to have worked.
However, this weekend’s Old Trafford clash will kick off at 4pm rather than the 4.30pm preferred by Sky bosses. That is at least half an hour later than the April game between the two sides, which got underway at 3.30pm.
Manchester United’s clash with Liverpool will start at the last minute of the match after a police ‘sweetener’
The Premier League is reportedly paying £7m to security forces in what some saw as a not-so-discreet attempt to allow big games to be broadcast in the more lucrative later broadcast slots.
It is understood that neither club has any specific plans to address the issue of tragedy chants that have marred previous matches between the two.
The public opinion is that the situation is improving and is expected to continue to do so. As this is a league match and not a cup match, Liverpool will be able to welcome around 3,000 spectators.
Police have traditionally been against delaying the start of matches, saying it extends the time fans can spend drinking and therefore increases the likelihood of trouble.
Greater Manchester Police has been contacted for comment.
Meanwhile, United are awaiting the arrival of PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte to complete their summer spending spree.
League officials say the gift was made as a gesture of “thank you” rather than to facilitate kick-off times (pictured: Premier League chief executive Richard Masters)
This weekend’s high-stakes clash will start half an hour later than television bosses wanted.
The club are still trying to raise funds and will listen to offers for defender Victor Lindelof and playmaker Christian Eriksen, while the Jadon Sancho situation, with Juventus and Chelsea involved, is still ongoing.
Ahead of Friday’s deadline, there is interest in Lindelof from clubs in Spain, Turkey and Italy, while Eriksen is believed to be on the radar of Ajax.
The payment was made as an unconditional gift under Section 93 of the Police Act and the security forces are authorised to use the funds as they see fit.
