Arne Slot withdraws from LMA awards dinner after Liverpool parade incident | OneFootball

Reds boss pays tribute to the emergency services after shocking scenes that saw 65 people hurt after a car ploughed into fans on Monday

Liverpool manager Arne Slot withdrew from the League Managers Association’s (LMA) annual awards ceremony to show his support for those affected by the awful incident that took place during the club’s Premier League title parade.

However, Slot did not attend the ceremony as planned in London on Tuesday night in light of Monday’s tragic incident, when a car ploughed into dozens of fans out celebrating on Water Street at 6pm during Liverpool’s title parade through the city, injuring 65 people in total including 50 who needed hospital treatment and 11 who remain hospitalised in a stable condition.

“This is not a decision I have taken lightly but it is one that I feel is absolutely right given the seriousness of the situation. I hope that I have your understanding in this regard.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the wider football community, including the LMA itself, the Premier League and many clubs who will be represented tonight, for the support we have received over the last 24 hours. Football is and always should be a game built on rivalry, but it is also a great source of comradeship, especially at times like this.”

Merseyside Police said in their latest update on Tuesday that a 53-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs.

Slot paid tribute to the emergency services who acted so swiftly following the incident on Monday, as well as those fans and bystanders who helped each other through such a difficult time.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the emergency services and other authorities in Liverpool who swung into action as soon as the incident happened,” he said.

“Along with the supporters and bystanders who helped one another in an hour of need, I think everyone involved in the aftermath deserves the gratitude of all of us.”

Slot said he was honoured and proud to win the two prestigious awards and looked forward to receiving the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy from the man himself at a later date, as he also asked people to keep those affected by the parade incident in their thoughts and prayers.

“I am humbled to be named Barclays Premier League Manager of the Season so thank you to the Barclays & The Premier League awards panel for selecting me,” Slot continued.

“The main reason I say I am humbled is that I know the incredibly high standard of the managers in the Premier League.

“It goes without saying that I am also really proud to be a member of the League Managers Association and therefore I am truly honoured to be awarded the Sir Alex Ferguson Trophy for the LMA Manager of the Year. To be voted for by your managerial peers is so special, especially as I know the unbelievable quality of those who have won this award previously.

“Sir Alex, I look forward to meeting with you at a later date to receive my trophy from you. I also look forward to attending my first LMA Annual Awards dinner on a future occasion. Thank you once again for your understanding and your support.

Slot’s predecessor Klopp - who was in attendance as Liverpool lifted the trophy at Anfield on Sunday and then during the title parade - was inducted into the LMA Hall of Fame 1,000 Club on Tuesday and said after Monday’s horrific scenes that there were more serious things in the world than football.

"It should have been one of the greatest days in the history of the city, after a long time because we didn't have the opportunity to do it last time," said Klopp, whose side celebrated their title win in 2020 without fans due to Covid-19 restrictions.

"It just showed the two faces of life. The most beautiful face for a long time: the parade was incredible, the mood was incredible.

"And from one second to another everything changed and we learned again there are more serious things in the world than football.

"Thoughts and prayers go to the injured people and their families as well. I don't know how and why it happened but we know what happened and that's very bad."

David Moyes, Jose Mourinho, Mick McCarthy and Ian Holloway were also inducted into the LMA Hall of Fame 1,000 Club on Tuesday, while Tottenham’s Ange Postecoglou, Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, Newcastle’s Eddie Howe, Arsenal Women manager Renee Slegers and Chelsea Women coach Sonia Bompastor all won the John Duncan Award, recognising “those who have achieved historic and notable successes for their clubs this season”.

Bompastor also won Barclays Women's Super League Manager of the Year, with Portsmouth’s Jay Sadler taking Barclays Women's Championship Manager of the Year honours. The respective EFL Manager of the Year awards for each division went to Leeds’ Daniel Farke, Chris Davies of Birmingham and Doncaster boss Grant McCann.