At least one person has been arrested following reports of alleged «tragedy chanting» during Sunday's (Mar 17) FA Cup quarter-final match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford.
The insensitive chants related to the Hillsborough disaster in which 97 Liverpool fans lost their lives during an FA Cup semi-final game against Nottingham Forest at Sheffield's Hillsborough Stadium.
According to reports, a significant number of alleged United fans in the Stretford End were heard chanting «Murderers» and «Always the victims», which was audible to the live television audience.
The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) confirmed they had arrested one individual and that an investigation was currently underway.
“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," a GMP spokesperson said.
The English Football Association (FA) also released a statement saying they will be “liaising with and supporting” GMP in an attempt 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.”
The UK government in 2023 acknowledged that the current legislation can be used to prosecute 'offenders chanting or shouting about tragedies and death at football matches'.
The Public Order Act 1986 (POA) provides for
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