A Liverpool FC staff Christmas party held at Liverpool’s iconic Anglican Cathedral was abruptly shut down following the discovery of suspected drugs paraphernalia, according to reports.
The football club confirmed an incident took place on Thursday night, emphasising its strict stance against illegal substances at its events.
Liverpool FC stated it “does not condone or tolerate the use of illegal substances at any of our sites or events.”
The event was organised for non-footballing staff, and neither first-team players nor manager Arne Slot were present.
The decision to end the party was made by cathedral staff, who stated the incident did not align with the venue’s values.
Reports suggest the search that uncovered the suspected drugs was prompted by a medical emergency involving an attendee.
Liverpool FC later clarified that the staff member involved was “recovering well” following hospital treatment and that the medical issue was unrelated to the other concerns.
Photos from the event, shared on social media, showcased an elegant setup with tables illuminated in red light and the club’s crest projected onto the cathedral’s inner walls. However, the night ended prematurely due to the incident.
Liverpool FC expressed gratitude to the cathedral’s events team for their “swift action and professional response” to the medical emergency. The club reiterated its zero-tolerance policy regarding illegal substances.
Liverpool Cathedral, the largest in Britain and a popular venue for events, stated it hosts such gatherings to ensure the site remains open and free for public access.
The cathedral confirmed the incident was managed in line with its procedures and thanked Liverpool FC for their cooperation.
The cathedral’s spokesperson added, ” “We want to thank our staff and Liverpool FC for the swift actions taken and partnership working, and will continue to review our procedures and mitigation measures for future events.”
Both Liverpool FC and the cathedral are conducting reviews to prevent similar incidents in the future.
While the event was intended as a celebration for non-footballing staff, its premature closure highlights the importance of stringent safety measures at such high-profile gatherings.
