The Premier League has stepped up its attempts to crack down on tragedy chanting after a marked increase in incidents, the Guardian can reveal. A Premier League working group set up this year to tackle the problem, also involving clubs, the Football Association, English Football League and Football Supporters’ Association, is understood to have consulted the police and the Crown Prosecution Service in recent weeks to discuss what legislation could be used to pursue convictions against alleged perpetrators.
Ian Byrne, the MP for Liverpool West Derby, who has long campaigned on this subject, is also believed to have been part of discussions, along with a number of supporters’ groups.
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On Tuesday, the Premier League condemned Hillsborough chants heard at Stamford Bridge at the match between Chelsea and Liverpool and said it was seeking to address the problem “as a priority”. Despite insiders’ fears that the issue is getting “worse and worse”, it is understood existing legislation makes it difficult for police to prosecute because the chants are not considered discriminatory. The working group is also believed to have consulted lawyers to find a solution.
Chants mocking the Hillsborough tragedy were also heard at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday after Manchester City’s win over Liverpool in the Premier League, but it is by no means the only tragedy referenced this season by supporters. In February, Leeds fans sang about the 1958 Munich air disaster in which eight Manchester United players were among the 23 who died. Travelling fans responded with a song referencing the events of 2000 in Istanbul when two Leeds supporters were killed and there have also been chants mocking the fire at Bradford’s Valley Parade that killed 56 people in 1985.
Before Liverpool’s meeting with United at Anfield last month, the clubs issued a joint statement calling on fans to end tragedy chanting. “It is unacceptable to use the loss of life – in relation to any tragedy – to score points, and it is time for it to stop,” said United’s manager, Erik ten Hag. “Those responsible tarnish not only the reputation of our clubs but also, importantly, the reputation of themselves, the fans, and our great cities.”
Liverpool will pay tribute at Sunday’s game at home against Arsenal to the 97 supporters killed in the Hillsborough tragedy in April 1989. It will include a minute’s silence before kick-off.
