Following the publication of a report into the Hillsborough disaster, English fans’ behaviour will be under the microscope for the next few games following calls to put a stop to sickening chants at games. The report which was released on Wednesday found Liverpool fans blameless for the 1989 FA Cup semi-final crush which killed 96 of the supporters. The report was widely welcomed although the club is still mocked by rival fans with hateful songs and chants.
A few fans from Manchester United sing about the Hillsborough disaster while some supporters from Liverpool gloat over the Munich air crash in 1958 which decimated the Manchester United team.
Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool manager, hopes that the independent panel’s findings would put a stop to the taunts. Rodgers told Liverpool’s website that he does not like to hear anything which associates tragedy and death to other people. He is saddened by the minority who attempt to smear the reputation of a club. Ferguson, manager of Manchester United, echoed the views of Rodgers. On Friday the Premier League said that the handshake between the teams which happens before the match will go ahead.
In November Chelsea were compelled to condemn some of their supporters after they chanted songs about Ferdinand in Belgium during a Champions League game: both clubs have since warned their supporters to behave. The Queens Park Rangers’ website published a reminder on Thursday about fan’s behaviour whilst on Chelsea’s website they sad that abuse and discrimination has no place in any football stadium.
Both Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers are going to work together with the police ensuring that anyone who uses inflammatory or discriminatory language on Saturday will be identified. The strongest possible action will then be taken against them, it was revealed in a statement.