Why Jamie Carragher was 'blocked' from Etihad away end by Man City before Liverpool game

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Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher was reportedly "blocked" from the away end at the Etihad Stadium for Manchester City vs. Liverpool, a high-profile Premier League clash. According to the article, Carragher—now a prominent pundit for Sky Sports—was denied access to the visiting supporters’ section due to concerns over fan safety and potential issues related to his high-profile status. Manchester City told ESPN, which was producing the match coverage, that Carragher would not be allowed to film inside the away end for broadcast. The decision was said to be a "mutual agreement" between the clubs, broadcasters, and stakeholders to avoid inflaming tensions in an already heated football environment.

The article suggests that Manchester City’s decision was partly motivated by incidents from previous seasons, including objects being thrown and heated exchanges between rival fans. Carragher’s high visibility as a Liverpool legend, combined with his outspoken and sometimes polarizing commentary, may have contributed to the apprehension. The article notes that matchday stewarding and crowd control have become increasingly strict at Premier League grounds, especially at high-risk fixtures like City vs. Liverpool, where both clubs have large, passionate fanbases.

In addition, the piece offers context about the broader relationship between Premier League clubs and the media, highlighting how broadcasters must often negotiate complex logistics and safety protocols to film pre-match or post-match segments with pundits among the fans. The article concludes by noting that, despite being denied access to the away end, Carragher was still able to share his analysis of the match from another location, ensuring viewers did not miss his expertise. The incident, while unusual, reflects the delicate balance clubs must strike between media access and fan safety in modern football.