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8th tier clubs to take action over ‘disgraceful’ Hillsborough related chants heard during match

8th tier clubs Kidsgrove and City of Liverpool are to take action over ‘disgraceful’ Hillsborough related chants heard during match.

@CityofLpoolFC tweeted: “Tragedy chanting is bad enough at any time, but near the anniversary is way beyond the pale. Disgraceful.”

Kidsgrove Athletic FC (@OfficialKAFC) also wrote: “Club Statement. We have heard reports of Hillsborough related chants in our game today at @CityofLpoolFC.

“This is something we find completely unacceptable as a club and would like to apologise to any person affected by what was heard.

“The club will take a look into today’s incident with immediate effect and will take the right actions in rectifying it.”

The game itself played out to a 5-0 victory for City of Liverpool at the DCBL Stadium with Ismail Sonko (40′), Kenny Strickland (51′ pen, (90’+4 pen)), Danny Mitchley (89′) and Jawad Jebrin (90’+1) all getting on the scoresheet.

The result leaves City of Liverpool 6th in the Northern Premier League West Division with 56 points after 35 games played, a place and three points outside the playoffs, while Kidsgrove are 17th with 39 points from 35 games played and six points above the drop zone.

Fans are being warned they face being banned from football matches – and next year’s Men’s European Championships – if they commit tragedy-related abuse as prosecutors publish additional guidance today.

The CPS has updated its prosecution guidance on football related offences which reconfirms that tragedy-related abuse can be prosecuted as a public order offence. The guidance, which assists prosecutors when making legal decisions on cases, set out how lawyers can apply for Football Banning Orders which not only stop fans attending matches, but also can impose other restrictions, such as not being able to travel to certain areas, or be allowed in pubs at game time and travel during tournament times.

Tragedy-related abuse is when fans sing, chant or gesture offensive messages about disasters or accidents involving players or fans – including references to the Hillsborough Disaster, Munich Air Crash, Bradford Fire, Leeds fans killed in Istanbul, or the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash.

This can have a devastating impact on the bereaved and their communities. Sport is for everyone to enjoy, and this type of behaviour jeopardises that.

The guidance also includes reference to other hate crimes, such as homophobic or racist chanting or gestures, and pitch incursion.

Douglas Mackay of the CPS said: “A small minority of so-called fans are both damaging the reputation of the sport and more importantly this offending has a devastating impact on the families of victims of tragedies and the communities connected closely to these events.

“This updated guidance sends the clear message that this vile behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We want supporters to passionately enjoy our national sport without crossing the line into criminality.

Chief Constable Mark Roberts, NPCC (National Police Chiefs’ Council) Lead for Football Policing, said: “We work closely with the CPS and support these efforts to tackle the mindless and vicious chanting that unfortunately a minority of supporters engage in.

“This behaviour can cause significant distress to those who have lost loved ones or friends, as well as those who were present at these tragedies. Whatever the rivalries, it is never acceptable.”

Football Association Chief Executive, Mark Bullingham, said: “Tragedy related abuse is completely unacceptable and has no place in our game. This behaviour is highly offensive and can have a lasting effect on the families, friends and communities who have been devastatingly impacted by these events. We welcome the new guidance from the Crown Prosecution Service to tackle incidents of this nature – which could lead to football bans and potential criminal proceedings.”

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: “We strongly believe there is no room for abhorrent tragedy abuse in football. Along with our clubs and the authorities, we are committed to sanctioning those found guilty and will also focus on educating fans of all ages, so they understand why this abuse is so hurtful and unacceptable.”

Trevor Birch, English Football League Chief Executive said: “There is absolutely no place for football tragedy abuse in any walk of life, so that is why the game and authorities, including the CPS, are introducing strong new measures to combat this behaviour.”

The CPS is currently working with the police, clubs, player bodies and the Premier League, English Football League, Women’s Super League, Women’s Championship, National Football League and the national referee organisation to help explain to football fans the impact of this abhorrent behaviour and the consequences they could face if they commit criminal actions.

Fans reacted as the two 8th tier clubs say they are to take action over ‘disgraceful’ Hillsborough related chants heard during the match…

@yelittlejedi: That’s the problem with non league supporters who support prem clubs, they bring their toxic behaviour closer to grassroots level.

@tinno213: Names and faces please so every club can ban them

@ForestHSA: What is wrong with people? Absolutely disgusting 😡

@caronjayne2: The offenders need identifying, made to watch all the footage of the disaster unfolding, speak to the survivors, listen to the JFT97 group, and go to the 35th Anniversary remembrance! Maybe then, they’ll get it! Oh and once they’ve done all that – ban them for life!

@Stubbs_86: I was also called a “fucking tory bastard” byba CoL, this was before kick off, I’d bought a pie and was making my way to a seat with my young son, hadn’t spoke or looked at anyone. He was a little shook up to say the least

@PaulRoo6Times: Honestly at Non League just disgusting, After speaking to your fans 10-20 of them at half time and full time they were disgusted themselves by the few absolute clowns involved in this today, they are easy identified and should receive a life ban So sad for your club this today 😔

@dazza6313: @OfficialKAFC supporters were a disgraceful today

@davestanleylfc: Would love to say an isolated incident, second time you have had to apologise for chants after playing city of Liverpool, lots of other clubs reported similar issues, statements are nice, action is better

@bigdirk008: WTF 🤬

@amandaredfern2: This is unacceptable, please ban the people responsible.

@TBergin7: I love kidsgrove it’s my second club after Liverpool always been good to my son and us a family very friendly family club I lost friends on that horrible day something that will live with me forever hopefully you can root out who it was they need educating

@CeeEleff: Weird behaviour!

@marcj1967: The attendance was 204 people. Presumably, most of which were @CityofLpoolFC supporters. It shouldn’t be a hard task to identify which of your fans disgraced your club. Appreciate the acknowledgment of what happened. Bigger clubs have been less keen to do the same.

@1Hanmdd: Imagine supporting Kidsgrove (all 10 of them) and chanting about Hillsborough? Utter fucking morons. Wannabe ‘hooligans’…

@GarethECoates: Never, EVER acceptable. The onus now is on KAFC to identify and ban those responsible.

@Paddymurphy2008: It’s not the first time either. I imagine a lot of supporters who focus on the premiere league would think these things wouldn’t happen in non league but unfortunately they do. It’s happened for years. The Merseyside clubs should demand a response from nwcfl and others.

@LostInTheSmog: No place in football for this. Disgraceful.

@stevo1878: When it comes to this horrible, vile chanting about Hillsborough it’s one thing that us Merseyside clubs will not tolerate and have our full backing in getting g this stamped out.

@RichtMUFC99: Find them. Ban them. No excuses.

@charlhennessy1: As the daughter of 1 of the 97, can I ask what you intend to do to eradicate tragedy chanting & how you intend on dealing with the fans responsible? Would you be open to working with our @NowHillsborough group to educate fans? My inbox is open if you’d prefer to reply privately!

@MAF_1958: 35 years ago I went to a football match with 2 of my closest friends @DavidHarrison58 and Lenny . We came back by the grace of God but 97 didn’t, leaving their families lives shattered. 2 days before the 35th anniversary I learn that this happens. It makes me so sad and angry.

@DaveHil50756270: You can not believe how this makes me feel as a survivor of Hillsborough 35 years ago. Perhaps these “supporters” would like to join us at Hillsborough stadium on the anniversary on Monday as we remember the 97 and we can discuss what harm they are doing @NorthernPremLge

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