The FA have took to release a statement on Wednesday over number of abhorrent chants aimed at Liverpool fans over recent seasons.
This comes days after a Labour MP has called on the Premier League to help stamp out chants about the Hillsborough disaster, adding it has a “duty of care” to the survivors of the 1989 tragedy.
Ian Byrne said chants about the disaster have become “incessant” and are now a weekly occurrence, and urged Premier League chief executive Richard Masters to meet him in a bid to tackle the problem.
“Enough really is enough and we need actions now from the Premier League and all football clubs involved to ensure that this stops”https://t.co/0xOcThmWJs
— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) October 31, 2022
Cans of beer being thrown at a coach outside Old Trafford followed by chants of “murderers”.pic.twitter.com/sLNTJCMqop
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) August 22, 2022
An inquest in 2016 found that 96 Liverpool supporters were unlawfully killed amid a catalogue of failings by the emergency services at a 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough.
Since then, Andrew Devine, who died in July last year after suffering life-changing injuries in the tragedy, has also been determined to have been unlawfully killed at an inquest.
Byrne also tells Masters that Hillsborough survivors were deeply affected by events in Paris earlier this year, when Reds fans were kept penned outside the Stade de France for hours in the build-up to the Champions League final.
The French authorities initially put blame for the chaotic scenes on Liverpool supporters, whom they said had brought large numbers of counterfeit tickets.
However, a French Senate report published back in July said Liverpool supporters were unfairly blamed to “divert attention” from the failure of the organisers.
In a letter to Masters dated last Friday, Byrne wrote: “These chants and the people behind them shame the game.
“Since the events of the UEFA final in Paris we have seen many (Hillsborough) survivors triggered and struggling, tragically three survivors have taken their lives this year alone and two since Paris.
“The Premier League has a duty of care to these supporters and the incessant chanting that is now a weekly occurrence must be tackled at the root causes.”
Byrne wants the Premier League to assist with the rollout of The Real Truth Legacy Project, an initiative he is leading which aims “to educate current and future generations about what really happened at the disaster, and about the subsequent cover-up and the long fight for justice”.
Byrne added: “I cannot stress the detrimental impact these chants are having on the families of the 97, the survivors and their families.
“Enough really is enough and we need actions now from the Premier League and all football clubs involved to ensure that this stops.”
The Premier League has acknowledged receipt of the letter.
I have written to @premierleague to ask for an urgent meeting about obscene chanting about Hillsborough at matches and their duty of care to families and survivors. I would welcome their backing for our Real Truth Legacy Project and look forward to making the case. #JFT97 pic.twitter.com/jb5LVTMrHI
— lan Byrne MP (@IanByrneMP) October 31, 2022
THE FA STATEMENT:
We are very concerned about the rise of abhorrent chants in stadiums that are related to the Hillsborough disaster and other football related tragedies.
“These chants are highly offensive and are deeply upsetting for the families, friends and communities who have been impacted by these devastating events, and we strongly condemn this behaviour.
“We support clubs and fans who try to stamp out this behaviour from our game.
“We also support the excellent work of the survivor groups who engage with stakeholders across football to help educate people about the damaging and lasting effects that these terrible chants can have.”
— FA Spokesperson (@FAspokesperson) November 2, 2022
Charlotte Hennessy, who was six when her father James Hennessy was killed in the tragedy, says “enough is enough”.
Charlotte explained: “These are grown adults that think it’s OK to mock death regardless of the tragedy, whether it’s Hillsborough at Munich, Heysel, any tragedy.
“It’s not funny. It’s not banter. People aren’t taken into consideration that when you are chanting, you’re not taking into any account the mental trauma that survivors and family members have.”
Louise Brookes, who lost her brother Andrew Mark Brookes in the disaster, has taken two people to court over abuse she got online – and she is pursuing others.
She said: “For us to be treated the way we are, I just think that it’s absolutely disgraceful but i would like to see firmer action taken.
“I want them literally dragged out of the grounds, I want their season tickets removed and I want them banned from every ground in the country.”
Fans reacted as the FA release a statement over a number of abhorrent chants aimed at Liverpool fans…
@RobertLowe69: Absolutely this! Singing about the death of others loved ones is sick. Anyone who has lost someone close to them would hate chants about their family and friends. This applies to ALL fans
@Lost_Sophist: Dock points
@gusband1: Should be banned by their own clubs as well as Anfield!
@preece8: All fans should be kicked out and banned for life, for any vile and disgusting chanting about ANY disaster that has happened.
@georgeaLfc: Finally. It’s scary how no media or pundits ever comment on it
@soccrinthecity: Well played, again, Ian. Fully support your work. P
@ConnorMerritt95: Finally! Hopefully pundits will start calling this out every single game @Carra23 @GNev2
@Peterscarfe1: Thankyou for writing to @premierleague on behalf of the families, survivors & those who are still mourning those we’ve lost along the way 💔
@SDal63: Thanks Ian, Premier League and all clubs need to get involved now, all non lfc fans are singing chants and trolling Families and Survivors, it has to stop #EnoughlsEnough
@MummyBear_: All chanting should be stopped with regards to human tragedy. Any songs referring to Hillsborough, Munich, Heysel, Bradford etc., shouldn’t be allowed.
@LWebster_: Proud that Ian is my MP, and by far the best MP in the country. I hope the PL can address these chants and start clamping down on it, along with any other vile chants which have no place in football.
@antonyc0507: I agree people shouldn’t be chanting about Hillsborough its nasty. Your own club constantly chant about Munich, Harold Shipman, The Queen and the IRA. Perhaps that should have been included in your letter.
@MichaelLofthou5: Hi thats fine if there was chanting about Hillsborough , now 2 wrongs dont make it a right but could you comment on the IRA songs , constant ‘up the RA stuff from Liverpool fans which I find distasteful having had friends killed by the IRA which included several Liverpool fans !!
@john606sc: Ah yes, one rule for your club. Are you going to mention the vile abuse by your supporters mocking the murder of two Leeds supporters or taking the piss out of the death of the Queen? No, are you sure? Ah sorry, you only know how to play the victim card. Idiot!
Any chance of showing the Hillsborough chants pic.twitter.com/nB5z3Z4Ca9
— MFG (@Mfrackgrant) October 29, 2022
— MFG (@Mfrackgrant) October 29, 2022

You must be logged in to post a comment Login