A Man Utd fan arrested for tragedy chants, and gesturing while Liverpool fans throw flares into the disabled section during the FA Cup tie.
One individual was apprehended by Greater Manchester Police following reports of offensive chanting during the quarter-final match between Manchester United and Liverpool.
Inappropriate songs and gestures made by fans were also reported during United’s 4-3 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
At various points throughout the thrilling, Man Utd fans were heard singing ‘always the victims, it’s never your fault’, ‘The Sun was right – you’re murderers’ and ‘murderers’.
Those chants relate to the Hillsborough and Heysel tragedies, the Football Association were quick to condemn those involved, with GMP then confirming action had been taken.
A spokesperson for the force said: ‘GMP can confirm that an arrest has been made in connection with tragedy chanting at the Manchester United v Liverpool fixture this afternoon.
‘Incidents of tragedy chanting will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly. We are all familiar with fans taunting their opponents at football matches, but this is generally done in good humour and without offence.
‘The incidents today crossed the line of what is acceptable, and we will work closely with both clubs to identify anyone responsible for committing offences during the event.’
United are understood to be working with both Liverpool and the police while previously stressing that such chanting is unacceptable and will result in consequences.
An FA spokesperson said: ‘We are aware of the reported tragedy chanting during today’s FA Cup fixture between Manchester United and Liverpool and we will be liaising with and supporting Greater Manchester Police.
‘We strongly condemn any offensive, abusive and discriminatory chants in football stadiums, and we are determined to stamp this behaviour out.
‘It is entirely unacceptable and can have a lasting and damaging impact on people and communities within our game.
‘It must stop, and we support any club and their fans who try to eradicate this from the terraces.’ Tragedy chanting has been an issue that authorities have repeatedly tried to address, with ‘tough new measures’ announced last summer.
After talks between the sport’s governing bodies and the Crown Prosecution Service, a decision was reached that singing inappropriate songs related to tragedies like Munich and Hillsborough will now be considered a criminal act.
Individuals caught engaging in such behaviour may be subject to stadium bans and legal action, with stewards receiving updated instructions to better address the matter and enforce regulations among fans.
Manchester United is collaborating with law enforcement to locate a supporter who was seen making offensive gestures.
New footage has surfaced showing a man in the stands turning to face the away end and appearing to mock the Hillsborough and Heysel disasters by mimicking being crushed and pressed up against a wall.
Man Utd are aware of the clip and are investigating.
And this pic.twitter.com/LR6r9QJnPR
— Jay (@JLFC892) March 17, 2024
Chief Inspector Jamie Collins, Silver Commander for the match for Greater Manchester Police, confirmed the force were working with the two clubs to identify the fan but no arrest has been made.
Ninety-seven football fans died as a result of a crush at an FA Cup semi-final clash between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15 1989.
Liverpool fans threw a flare into the disabled section at Old Trafford during their 4-3 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday, according to reports.
The flare incident occurred when Mohamed Salah scored in the first half to give Liverpool a 2-1 lead.
It was thrown from the section of away fans and fell beneath them – landing in the wheelchair section below – which houses disabled United supporters.
#mufcvslfc#facup
Liverpool fans throwing flaresat disabled section pic.twitter.com/e9fe5057wg— Timothy J Burling (@tburling) March 17, 2024
Scum bags throwing flares into the disabled section and then laugh about it! The lowest of the low#mufc #facup pic.twitter.com/oINDvEy1gy
— StrettyEnd (@_StrettyEnd) March 17, 2024
SEE MORE: Jurgen Klopp storms out of interview after reporter’s ‘dumb question’ on defeat to Man Utd
Twitter users reacted with a Man Utd fan arrested for tragedy chants, while Liverpool fans throw flares into disabled end…
ON THE FAN MAKING THE GESTURES:
@Food_A4thought: Just a pathetic individual
@JPMal50: What a pr1ck. Hate fans who go on like this. Should be banned for life
@MUFC_Saints: Absolute scum bag. Apologies from proper United for this tosser.
@brianlfc0210: His kids are gonna be so proud the manky scruff
@MattSihv: This is just evil. Can’t even imagine being this vile.
@manfcpt: This does not represent us. I condemn these provocations.
@belfast_red: i know we are all tribal with football but it really is baffling how a grown man can act like this. crazy
@davelfc1984: @gmpolice do your jobs
@debbeepatton: Very easily identified, this should get him barred from every ground at least.
@oldbencjw: His last game at Old Trafford or any ground for a while
@MickMurr81: Look at that absolute mess
@PW8383: The state of that 🤦
@DayhughesHughes: So so sad . Imagine having that inside you 😩😩😩
@HojlundOK: What’s he even meant to be doing? What’s with the whole face thing?
@RlGHTBACKS: look at the state of that @gmpolice
@jamesvictorb: The most apalling and brazen I’ve ever seen something like this. Genuinely shocking. Hoping to wake up seeing this disgrace of a man has been identified
@Indianex1984: United fan here. this is vile. Huge apologies to Liverpool fans. This guy doesn’t represent us.
@greenlinen: @ManUtd @LiverpoolFC surely this guy should be easy to identify and should be banned for life plus face prosecution. However it was thousands at it today. Do something to stamp out this vile hatred.
@CraigBPodcasts: He needs arresting as soon as possible. There’s banter but the Hillsborough disaster is not that and never will be that. Its a tragedy that affected so many and anyone using that to upset others should be kicked out of football.
@ShaunwithanS: Genuinely will never understand this over a game of football
@chrisjhocking22: What an absolute waste of space he is. Bet his family are so proud. Won’t be when it finally catches up to him.
ON THE FLARE THROWN INTO THE DISABLED END:
@Callum_McA4: Classy bunch…
@shakerdaz: Get them playing behind closed doors
@StevenWatmough: I’ve never understood why the most vulnerable of fans are in the worst position in terms of having the away fans so close
@SpirittMX: Awful….. however whose bright idea was it to put the most vulnerable fans below the away fans?!
@LFC5G: That’s disgusting.
@DoumouZacki: But we are expected to do a minute silence every week at Anfield and then when fans boo they start crying? Double standards honestly.
@scousericey: Why would you throw a flare in the disabled section?
@Colinmharris: No it wouldn’t of been the Liverpool fans, it’s never there fault, most of been someone else
@Craig__1998: No statement about scousers throwing a flare at the disabled section. Ten times worse than mean words
@KerryKez7: Oh wow what absolute t**ts them lot are I bet the FA & the police won’t get involved here will they or when they sing Munich & do the airplane sign that statement from the police & the FA is about our chanting NOTHING about what they did they get away with EVERYTHING
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