Revealed: The safety concerns that plagued Emirates Old Trafford ahead of huge concerts and Ashes test

Safety officials expressed concern to Lancashire County Cricket Club about stewarding or medical care at its ground four times since 2021, according to a council report.

They even considered reducing the capacity of the stadium, Emirates Old Trafford, in 2021 as the nation emerged from the coronavirus lockdown as crowds started to return to sports grounds.

Officials at Trafford Council also initially refused to 'sign off' certificates to allow a series of money-spinning concerts at the ground in the summer of 2022. The club's medical services contractor also 'did not send sufficient resources' to the sold-out Roses clash between Lancashire and Yorkshire earlier that year, according to an official report.

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A test event for the stadium's new stand last year also revealed some stewards didn't have the correct qualifications resulting in an emergency meeting of the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) the day before the Ashes test at Old Trafford, the report says.

The concerns have been outlined in a report which will be considered by Trafford Council's 'safety at sports grounds' sub-committee on Monday night. It hasn't convened for three years due to the effects of the Covid pandemic, although the work of its Safety Advisory Group (SAG) - which includes police and other bodies - has continued behind the scenes to issue safety certificates to LCCC and Manchester United during the period.

The report summarised the SAG meetings held between 2020 and 2023 during which, as Covid restrictions were eased, crowds were gradually allowed to return to sports grounds.

The published papers show that a SAG meeting took place in June 2021 to discuss council 'concerns' about