Liverpool have condemned the recent "vile" chants about the Hillsborough disaster.
Manchester City supporters were heard singing during a minute's silence to mark the 33rd anniversary of the tragedy, held ahead of Liverpool's 3-2 win in their FA Cup semi-final on Saturday afternoon. Manchester United fans were then heard making offensive chants at Anfield on Tuesday evening. Both Manchester clubs have since apologised.
97 Liverpool fans lost their lives as a result of the crush, which unfolded in the build-up to the team's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in April 1989. The fixture was held at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough Stadium in South Yorkshire.
"Liverpool FC is saddened by the recent rise in vile chants about the Hillsborough disaster," read a club statement. "We know the impact these abhorrent slurs have on the families of the 97, those who survived, and all associated with this club.
"We are working with the relevant authorities to do our utmost to ensure these chants are eradicated from football altogether and, where appropriate, bring the full force of the law and the game’s sanction process down on those who continue to sing them."
The minute's silence held at Wembley was cut short by referee Michael Oliver due to "persistent chants form the City end", as revealed Match of the Day host Gary Lineker at half-time. The presenter described the chanting as "obviously disappointing".
City issued an apology to Liverpool following the incident at Wembley. "Manchester City are extremely disappointed with the actions of some City supporters during the minute’s silence before today’s game," read a statement. "The club sincerely apologises to all those connected with Liverpool Football Club."
Manager Pep Guardiola added: "I think Manchester City made a statement. This is not Manchester City. We are close to Liverpool club for the tragedy that happened years ago. We are alongside them. After these guys singing [it] doesn't represent what we are."
United, meanwhile, issued an apology on Wednesday. "Manchester United stands in solidarity with Liverpool FC and its fans in remembering the victims of the Hillsborough disaster," a spokesperson said. "Offensive chants about the tragedy are completely unacceptable and we will work with our supporters’ groups to educate fans on the issue."
When asked about the chants, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said: "Some people did not understand the situation. It is not nice, they are wrong in the moment. But it is nothing to do with Manchester City and we accept their apology."
Families of the victims were forced to wait until 2016 for an inquest to conclude their loved ones were unlawfully killed at Hillsborough due to "gross negligence" from the police. To date, only one person has been convicted in relation to the disaster.
Graham Mackrell, the then-secretary of Sheffield Wednesday, was found guilty of a single safety offence in May 2019 and fined £6,500. Campaigner Margaret Aspinall, who lost her 18-year-old son James at Hillsborough, described the outcome as a "cover-up".
