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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Paul Gorst

The Football Association air deep concerns over rise of Hillsborough-related chants during Liverpool games

The Football Association say they are deeply concerned about the rise of Hillsborough-related chants from opposition fans during Liverpool games this season.

Liverpool were forced to release a statement condemning what they labelled as "vile chants" about the Hillsborough and Heysel tragedies during the Reds' 1-0 win over Manchester City on October 16 as club staff were forced to remove graffiti and vandalism relating to the disasters by supporters in the away end on Anfield Road.

Some Nottingham Forest supporters also sang songs with the words 'always the victims' in - which is considered a slur about the Hillsborough tragedy that took the lives of 97 Liverpool fans during an FA Cup semi-final with the Midlands outfit in April 1989.

The FA said in a statement released on Wednesday afternoon they are supporting clubs across the Premier League to help eradicate such offensive and disgusting rhetoric relating to the death of football fans.

A statement read: "We are very concerned about the rise of abhorrent chants in stadiums that are related to the Hillsborough disaster and other football tragedies. These chants are highly offensive and are deeply upsetting for the families, friends and communities who have been impacted by these devastating events and we strongly condemn this behaviour.

"We support clubs and fans who try to stamp out this behaviour from our game. We also support the excellent work of the survivor groups who engage with stakeholders across football to help educate people about the damaging and lasting effects that these terrible chants can have."

However, despite the FA stance the issue, the organisation cannot sanction clubs over the chants because it only has jurisdiction under its rules to act on discriminatory chanting, which such terrace activity does not currently fall under.

Earlier this week, the Labour MP for West Derby, Ian Byrne, himself a Hillsborough survivor, wrote to the Premier League urging for more to be around an issue that still has long-lasting ramifications for so many whose lives were changed forever by events in the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough 33 years ago.

Writing to the Premier League's chief executive Richard Masters, Mr Byrne 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, the MP tweeted: "A welcome statement from the FA who are welcome to join our meeting with the @premierleague when agreed. The need for football stakeholders to work on the education of supporters regarding Hillsborough is long overdue. #RealTruthLegacyProject #HillsboroughLaw #JFT97".

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