Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and team-mate Jamie Carragher disappointed organisers of the BBC Sports Personality of the Year celebration in their native city by withdrawing at short notice from commitments to present awards.
Sunday night's event was the first time it has been staged in Liverpool and the BBC and city officials were keen to make it a truly Liverpudlian event that reflected the city's sporting heritage.
To that end both Liverpool and Everton received open invitations for players and management to attend, and the two club captains, Phil Neville and Gerrard, were asked to present the Team of the Year award. Carragher was also approached to present an award, while Fernando Torres and manager Rafael Benitez were also approached about attending.
While Neville fulfilled his commitment, Carragher and Gerrard withdrew, citing personal reasons. Gerrard withdrew midway through last week, while Carragher left his withdrawal until Saturday.
The Liverpool show was the third time it has been staged outside London with members of the public present – the first two were in Birmingham. Next year the show is likely to move to Glasgow or Cardiff.
Sunday night's event was the first time it has been staged in Liverpool and the BBC and city officials were keen to make it a truly Liverpudlian event that reflected the city's sporting heritage.
To that end both Liverpool and Everton received open invitations for players and management to attend, and the two club captains, Phil Neville and Gerrard, were asked to present the Team of the Year award. Carragher was also approached to present an award, while Fernando Torres and manager Rafael Benitez were also approached about attending.
While Neville fulfilled his commitment, Carragher and Gerrard withdrew, citing personal reasons. Gerrard withdrew midway through last week, while Carragher left his withdrawal until Saturday.
The Liverpool show was the third time it has been staged outside London with members of the public present – the first two were in Birmingham. Next year the show is likely to move to Glasgow or Cardiff.
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