Ian Ross, Everton's head of corporate affairs and public relations issued the following statement:
'We have given the Premier League two options, they can either have the ceremony on the pitch approximately 50 minutes after the final whistle when we have done our own lap of honour and the Everton fans have left the ground, or we will allow the cameras into the dressing room for the presentation to take place in there.’
'It's not that we don't want to stage the presentation but we do have safety concerns and that has to be the over-riding priority. It is our home game, we have had an excellent season and our supporters should be able to acknowledge the players and vice-versa. Once the safety officer has given the all clear then the trophy can be presented.'
IMUSA Chair Mark Longden slammed the decision:
‘We have only kicked off at 3pm on a Saturday ten times out of forty one games this season, we have played at ridiculous times on every day of the week and now we are told that we cannot see the team lift the trophy – this is the final insult.’
