Liverpool have issued a message condemning “vile” and “hateful” chants about the Hillsborough crisis in recent matches.
Offensive chants referring to the 1989 crisis can be heard from some Manchester United enthusiasts in the away segment of Anfield during Tuesday’s Premier League match, and the Red Devils issued a temporary condemnation of the moves of some of the enthusiasts.
Three days earlier, some Manchester City fans continued to sing a minute’s silence in honour of the 97 sufferers of the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, forcing the referee to cut short the tribute.
In a statement posted on the club’s website, Liverpool said: “Liverpool FC are saddened by the recent accumulation of vile chants about the Hillsborough disaster.
“We know the effect of those heinous insults to the families of ’97, to those who survived and to all those associated with this club.
“We are competing with the relevant government to do everything possible to have those chants absolutely removed from football and, where appropriate, to apply the full force of the law and the procedure of sanctioning the game to those who continue to sing them. “
Manchester City and Manchester United have issued swift statements condemning the moves of some of their supporters and expressing solidarity with Liverpool.
City apologised to the Reds and said they were “extremely disappointed” with the moves of some of their fans.
Manchester United said the offensive chants about the crisis were “completely unacceptable” and said it would “educate” enthusiasts on the issue.
Last week marked the 33rd anniversary of the disaster, in which 97 enthusiasts died due to overcrowding at Sheffield’s Hillsborough Stadium as Liverpool faced Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-finals.
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