FA concerned over rise in 'abhorrent chants' about Hillsborough tragedy
- Published
Ninety-seven people died as a result of the crush at the 1989 football match
The Football Association has expressed concerns over the rise of "abhorrent chants" related to the Hillsborough disaster.
In October Pep Guardiola apologised after Manchester City fans chanted about football stadium tragedies during a game at Liverpool.
Manchester United condemned fans who chanted about the Hillsborough disaster in April.
"These chants are highly offensive and deeply upsetting," said the FA.
"We strongly condemn this behaviour. We support clubs and fans who try to stamp out this behaviour from our game."
MP Ian Byrne, himself a survivor of the 1989 tragedy, called on the Premier League to take action against "obscene" Hillsborough chants during football matches in a letter on Monday.
Writing to the league's chief executive Richard Masters, the Liverpool West Derby MP said: "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."
On Wednesday Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall told the BBC "drastic action" was needed by the football authorities to stop the offensive chanting.
"It's been really painful," she said about the chants. "I try to ignore it because the more you answer these people, the more it encourages them. It seems to be getting worse.
"I've written to the FA and the Premier League because something needs to be done to make it stop.
"Fine the club or deduct points. Then it would soon stop. Then the fans would start policing themselves. I think we need something drastic. The statements are doing no good."
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who was awarded the Freedom of Liverpool on Wednesday added the chants were "absolutely unacceptable".
Ninety-seven Liverpool fans lost their lives as a result of a crush at an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium, on 15 April 1989.
It remains the UK's worst sporting disaster, with a jury at an inquest later ruling that the fans were unlawfully killed.
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