By Graeme Yorke
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Liverpool have come under fire from a disgruntled fans' group after instructing stewards to film supporters during matches.
Fans' union The Spirit Of Shankly, which has had 18,000 paid-up members since it was formed in 2008, said the move suggests supporters are 'doing something criminal'.
Reds fans in the visitors' section at the recent Swansea City match were filmed with head cameras by Anfield stewards who made the trip.
Under surveillance: Liverpool fans sing before their 3-1 home win against Crystal Palace
Liverpool said it allowed stewards to wear head-cameras in order to help 'diffuse any anti-social behaviour'.
But some fans believe the practice smacks of Big Brother tactics.
Speaking to the Liverpool Echo, Spirit of Shankly chairman James McKenna said: 'The club is filming fans for its own reasons. CCTV is already in the ground so why are stewards filming fans? This suggests all football supporters are doing something criminal.
'We won't stand in the way when people break the law, but what we're asking is why are stewards acting as if some fans have done something criminal? It's as if people are guilty before they are found guilty of something.
'The club has not justified its reasons why it's doing this and it should come out and state those reasons. Until that happens people will be angry.'
Stalemate: Liverpool fans were filmed during their recent 2-2 draw away at Swansea
Asked if he thought stewards used head-cams to clampdown on flares and other devices, Mr McKenna said: 'That might be part of the reason. A small minority of people have had them, but to film everyone is wrong.
'If Liverpool thinks this is the issue why doesn't the club work with supporters on it?'
A Liverpool spokesman said the club is committed to ensuring the 'safety and well-being of its fans at all Liverpool matches' at home and away games.
He added: 'Like many other responsible Premier League football clubs, Liverpool uses a number of safety-related technologies as part of its wider match day operations.
Rivalry: Liverpool fans set off a red smokebomb against Manchester United last season
'As well as CCTV, a small number of steward head-cams have been in use as part of match day operations and comply with the regulations.
'These are used overtly on match days to help diffuse any anti-social behaviour as part of our overall goal to continue providing a welcoming environment for fans to watch Liverpool play.
'We are in close contact with our official Liverpool FC Supporters Committee to discuss any issues that fans raise and the committee can be contacted via the club's website.'
Safety first: Liverpool say the filming is to ensure the well-being of fans at all matches
Everton FC's head of stadium security, David Lewis said body-cams were occasionally used at Goodison Park as an extension of its normal CCTV operation.
He added: 'This is a standard practice and it's generally used to focus on persons we have reason to believe are either regularly misbehaving at Goodison or are in breach of stadium rules and regulations at any given match.'
LORNAO, LONDON, United Kingdom, 6 hours ago
Turnstile cam would be better to nail m:)