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Hopes of a swift return of flags and banners to the Kop at Anfield have been dashed.

Fan group Spion Kop 1906 – which is responsible for many of the famous banners – released a statement on Monday through the Spirit of Shankly supporters’ union outlining several ongoing concerns they had.

They had instigated a boycott of banners from the Kop during Anfield’s last home game against Crystal Palace but said this would be lifted if Liverpool FC agreed to meet with them for talks.

LFC released a statement agreeing to a meeting and the ECHO reported that it appeared flags would thus be returning for Thursday’s Bordeaux game.

However it emerged on Tuesday that supporters have rejected that meeting because senior LFC club officials will not be present. Instead the meeting offered was with the Anfield safety officer and head of operations.

An update supporters’ statement said: “Last week, an official from LFC responded offering themselves to meet and stating that reassurances were the same as had been offered during the dispute about accreditation being required to wave flags.

“It was pointed out to them and the club that this matter required senior officials to meet and address all of the supporters concerns which had arisen since then as set out in the statement. Despite several emails, LFC did not do this.

“It was only late last night that LFC proposed a meeting time and date for today but said that some of the issues raised would have to be addressed via the Supporters Committee. This was not acceptable to the supporters involved and isn’t the positive engagement they were hoping for.

“As such, supporters have decided that they will not have their flags out on Thursday evening.”

The ECHO understands Liverpool FC are very disappointed that flags will be absent from The Kop for the Europa League game and believe they have offered the two most senior officials, the Anfield stadium manager and the head of operations, connected with match day operations for the meeting.

A source indicated they are the two officials who previously met with supporters to iron out difficulties surrounding plans to bring in accreditation for flag bearers, a plan later scrapped.

Many of the ongoing disputes relate to events which took place before and following Steven Gerrard’s last home game, against Crystal Palace in May, during which a fan holding a banner was involved in a row with the husband of a disabled supporter.

That fan, Jonathan Poulter, was later taken to court accused of shouting abuse at David Higham, 61, when he asked him to move a giant banner.

Poulter, of Chapel Road, Anfield, denied using abusive or threatening behaviour, insulting words to cause harassment, alarm or distress but was convicted at Sefton Magistrates’ Court.

Spion Kop have insisted the issues are wider than the Poulter case and highlighted several in their statement yesterday.

Liverpool FC have stressed their desire to ensure the colourful banners remain as a vital part of match days at Anfield.