Watching from the sidelines! Police just look on as football fans gathered outside Marine v Spurs FA Cup tie blatantly ignore social-distancing with some not wearing masks
Police were pictured looking on as football supporters who had gathered outside the Marine v Spurs FA Cup in Liverpool blatantly ignored social distancing rules.
Football fans were packed behind barriers outside the Rossett Park stadium in Crosby to catch a glimpse of players in the Marine AFC v Tottenham Hotspur match on Sunday.
It came despite Boris Johnson's pleas for families to stay at home as coronavirus hospital deaths hit 563 - the highest Sunday toll in eight months.
Hordes of fans show their support as they wait outside the stadium prior to the FA Cup Third Round match between Marine and Tottenham Hotspur at Rossett Park
Fans show their support with no social distancing as they wait outside the stadium as the Spurs team coach arrives
Two young girls pose for a photo as fans gather with no social distancing outside the Rossett Park stadium in Crosby
Images taken today show fans showing their support with no social distancing as they waited outside the stadium as the Spurs team coach arrived.
Under the current rules in England, people must not leave their home unless they have a 'reasonable excuse' - which includes exercise.
Citizens are allowed to exercise with one other person or with their household or support bubble, but not outside their local area.
MailOnline asked Merseyside Police if any action had been taken for breaches of Covid laws.
A spokesman said it was 'factually incorrect' to describe the crowds as 'huge', adding police were there 'as a planned response to manage road closures, public safety and coach arrivals as well'.
'It isn't a simple case of clearing an area of people,' he said.
Superintendent Andy Rankine from Merseyside Police told MailOnline: 'Officers are in Crosby this afternoon ahead of Marine FC's FA Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur.
'A small gathering took place ahead of the arrival of the team coaches, and road closures were put in place to facilitate this arrival safely.
'The vast majority of people present were adhering to social distancing measures and those who were not were advised by officers.
'As we have done throughout this pandemic, we will always strive to encourage people to disperse and go home peacefully.
'But where we face blatant breaches of legislation, people ignoring the restrictions and even obstructing police from carrying out their duty, our officers will not hesitate to take enforcement action.
'Those attending have now left the area and we hope everyone enjoys the occasion safely at home.'
Fans take photographs in front of police officers as they wait outside Rosset Park stadium ahead of the Marine AFC v Tottenham Hotspur match today
Fans gather with no social distancing as they wait to greet the team buses outside Rossett Park, the home ground of Marine, in Crosby
Priti Patel today defended police as they began strict application of Covid rules that includes £200 fines and less tolerance for rule-breakers.
The Home Secretary warned that officers 'will not hesitate' to take action because the increasing number of new Covid-19 cases proved there was a need for 'strong enforcement' in cases where people were clearly breaking the rules.
The UK reported the highest number of hospital deaths on a Sunday in eight months.
Crowds gather to watch the Marine players arrive for the FA Cup third-round match between Marine and Tottenham Hotspur at Rossett Park
It is an increase of 50 deaths compared with last Sunday's reporting, and an increase of 197 deaths compared with December 27.
This number is a huge leap compared to previous Sundays when 448 were recorded on January 3 and 301 on December 27.
Today's death toll is the highest Sunday increase since May 3.
The grim figure brings the total number of UK coronavirus deaths to 81,431.
What is a 'reasonable excuse' for going outside?
Under the rules in England, you must not leave or be outside of your home except where you have a 'reasonable excuse'. This will be put in law. The police can take action against you if you leave home without a 'reasonable excuse', and issue you with a fine (Fixed Penalty Notice). You can be given a Fixed Penalty Notice of £200 for the first offence, doubling for further offences up to a maximum of £6,400.
A 'reasonable excuse' includes:
There are further reasonable excuses.
For example, you may leave home to fulfil legal obligations or to carry out activities related to buying, selling, letting or renting a residential property, or where it is reasonably necessary for voting in an election or referendum. In Scotland, coronavirus legislation gives police the power to force entry into people's homes if they have a 'reasonable suspicion' rules are being broken. However, in England, they can only enter in 'exceptional circumstances', which includes if they believe someone inside is infectious. Otherwise, they will require a warrant.