A group of repulsive, disgusting and offensive Manchester United supporters mocked Liverpool with disturbing song chants alluding to the Hillsborough Disaster of 1989. The Hillsborough tragedy took the lives of 96 Liverpool supporters and is truly one of the darkest moments in global football history.
It’s also the subject of quite possibly the best ESPN 30 for 30 documentary of all time.
Today, MUFC released a statement condemning the groups how partook in the deplorable behavior.
“It has always been the position of Manchester United that chants of this nature, which refer to historical tragedies, have no place in the game and do not reflect the values the Club holds,” the club statement reads. “We are in discussion with our fans’ groups to seek their support in preventing this type of behaviour in the future.”
It isn’t just United fans who engage in this kind of sick behavior. It’s an epidemic across all supporter bases for the most part. The 1958 Munich Air Disaster is quite often the subject when the Red Devils are the team being attacked.
Whether it’s Hillsborough, the Munich Air Disaster or any other solemn tragedy for that matter, using it as fodder for football rivalry is always in very poor taste and way out of bounds.
We learned today that UEFA will not take any action against Manchester United over the disgusting actions of a few supporters. The incident was not mentioned by referee Carlos Velasco Carballo in his match report, meaning no retrospective action can now be taken.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram