No Utd sanction over Hillsborough chants
Manchester United have avoided UEFA sanction for supporters’ chants about the Hillsborough disaster during Thursday’s Europa League clash with Liverpool, UEFA has confirmed to Press Association Sport.
Last week was the first ever European meeting between the north-west giants — the first leg of a last-16 tie which Jurgen Klopp’s men won 2-0 at Anfield.
The match was somewhat overshadowed by unsavoury chants from the away end, with sections of the travelling support heard singing about the Hillsborough disaster on several occasions.
A crush during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, in which 96 people were killed, was the subject of chants referencing media coverage at the time.
However, a spokesperson for European football’s governing body confirmed that United will not be punished for the incident.
The chanting was not mentioned in the match officials’ reports, additional reports included, so no disciplinary proceedings have been opened as a result.
Manchester United condemned the chanting on Friday and said the club were in discussion with fans’ groups ahead of the second leg.
“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 statement read.
“We are in discussion with our fans’ groups to seek their support in preventing this type of behaviour in the future.”
