Everton’s Nathan Patterson and Liverpool’s Andy Robertson could both feature for Scotland at the home of Everton men’s team
The Hill Dickinson Stadium will host the friendly match between Scotland and the Ivory Coast(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.)
Merseyside Police have issued a warning ahead of the football match between Scotland and the Ivory Coast at Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool city centre tomorrow (Tuesday, March 31).
The friendly fixture will be the first occasion that the home of Everton men’s team has hosted an international football game. It will act as a warm-up for this summer’s World Cup, with both sides qualifying for the tournament which will be staged across Canada, the USA and Mexico. Everton’s Nathan Patterson and Liverpool’s Andy Robertson could both feature for Scotland.
Merseyside Police says it is working together with Everton Football Club and both federations, as well as partner agencies in the city, to ensure that fans of both clubs can have a safe and enjoyable evening at the game.
Match Commander Chief Inspector Kev Chatterton says the policing will be ‘firm but friendly’ and warned that fans without tickets should not attend the match.
He said: “We are expecting a fantastic atmosphere at the friendly on Tuesday. As always, our officers will be dealing with the fans, as they would expect to be treated themselves. Our policing style will be firm, fair and friendly, but we will take action if required.
“We know that this will be a busy operation and we hope that fans attending the match will act as ambassadors for their clubs and enjoy what I am sure will be a good game.”
He added: “To ensure a safe environment for those attending the game, officers, working with Club stewards, we will be providing a reassuring presence in the area and they will be supported by specialist drugs detection dogs and the force’s mounted officers.
“Merseyside Police has been planning with Everton FC, both federations and partners in the city to ensure that everyone attending the game has a great evening.
“As usual we would ask fans with tickets to arrive at the ground as early as possible, the gates will open two hours before the 7.30pm kick off. Fans without tickets should not attend at all; they will not be allowed entry into the stadium.”
Football fans who try to enter grounds without a ticket could face lengthy banning orders and hefty fines under strict new laws that came into force last weekend.
The new act makes it illegal to enter a football match without a ticket, aiming to stop tailgating and forced entry. It will also be illegal to knowingly attempt to gain entry using forged tickets, passes and accreditation documents, or by posing as a member of stadium or playing staff.
To find out more about the stadium and what it has to offer, as well as information on how to get to the stadium, you can read the match guide provided by Everton FC.