Hundreds of ECHO readers commented on police being called to break up a lockdown football match at a Liverpool sports facility.
The images appeared to show a group of people taking part in an organised match with spectators at a council sports ground during lockdown.
Officers from Merseyside Police responded to reports of a breach of the current lockdown rules at Everton Park Sports Centre on Saturday morning, at around 10.45am.
It was reported youths had trespassed on the site and were playing football, with a number of others spectating.
Officers attended and spoke to a small group of youths who were packing up to leave.
It is believed that a number of people who had been playing football on the site had made off from the scene.
The ECHO was sent images that appear to show a group of people - some wearing fluorescent bibs - taking part in a game of football at the centre.
The centre is owned and run by Liverpool City Council and the local authority said it is now looking at increasing security at the facilities because of break ins.
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A council spokesman said: "“We are looking at increasing security measures due to issues with people cutting locks and forcibly removing fence panels at the pitches in order to play football in breach of lockdown rules.”
The story prompted a strong reaction among ECHO readers, with many people left angered by the lockdown breach.
Paul Stevenson said: "Absolutely dumbfounded here that people are defending people for breaking into a sports centre to play football.
"Besides the Covid laws being broken, they are also trespassing and under normal circumstances they would pay Everton park to play, but the centre has received nothing for them to play.
"Listen, I wanna play six-a-side again, and meet my mates, but morons like these only delay that further. You don't pick and choose what laws to obey unfortunately.
"The exercise argument is flawed as you are allowed to exercise."
StHelensEfc9999 said: "I hope they got fined as only way they will learn. People who reported it should be rewarded with 10% of fine money. That would be good incentive."
Iain Lamond said: "Good on the police. These people were totally irresponsible."
Judy Wall said: "I give up these selfish covidiots drive me mad. Why do these people think they are so special they can do as they like."
