Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and Cheltenham Festival linked to boost in coronavirus deaths

AN NHS study has found that Liverpool’s controversial clash with Atletico Madrid led to “an additional 41 coronavirus-related deaths.”

Their Champions League game at Anfield on March 11 was the last match played in England before lockdown measures were introduced.

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Around 54,000 supporters were in attendance including 3,000 travelling Atleti fans.

During that period, lockdown measures had already been introduced in Spain with many restaurants and bars shut.

On the day of the match, LaLiga chiefs had announced that all matches would be played behind closed doors before the season came to a halt.

Spain has been one of the worst-hit nations with just under 30,000 deaths while the UK’s official death toll now stands at over 36,000.

Cases in Liverpool increased after the game as travelling fans mingled with locals throughout the day and evening.

Reported by the Sunday Times, a study by Edge Heath, a group that analyses NHS data through data-modelling, believe the game led to 41 additional deaths between 25 and 35 days following the game.

Even boss Jurgen Klopp said it was “criminal” that the game went ahead according to rival Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti.

Ancelotti told Corriere dello Sport: “I spoke with Klopp a few days ago, he told me that the decision to play Liverpool-Atletico was a criminal act and I think he’s right.”

Edge Health also claim that the controversial Cheltenham Festival, which attracted 250,000 spectators over the four days, also contributed to an additional 37 corona-related deaths.

The Government suggested that they followed the advice available at the time.

Lockdown measures in England were introduced ten days after the annual festival.