Manchester City Fans Foodbank Support group have written to their club with a double request after a number of City fans disrupted a minute's silence in memory of Hillsborough victims.
The incident took place before the FA Cup semi final between Liverpool and City at the weekend - a game which fell one day after the 33rd anniversary of Hillsborough.
A group of City fans chanted throughout the minute's silence in memory of the 97 victims of the tragedy. The Liverpool end - and many City supporters - were outraged, with referee Michael Oliver being forced to cut short the period of remembrance.
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Manchester City released a strong statement on the day, which said: "Manchester City are extremely disappointed with the actions of some City supporters during the minute’s silence before today’s game. The Club sincerely apologises to all those connected with Liverpool Football Club."
And manager Pep Guardiola said after the game: "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."
Now, the MCFC Fans Foodbank Support group have released a letter addressed to the club's chief executive officer Ferran Soriano.
In it, they call upon City to back the campaign for a Hillsborough Law - and to show support for the Real Truth Legacy Project.
The group also say the vast majority of City followers were "appalled" by what took place at Wembley and are calling for a rivalry with Liverpool based on "mutual respect, understanding and friendship".
Read the MCFC Fans Foodbank Support group letter in full:
" Dear Ferran Soriano,
"We are writing in regard to the unfortunate reception given to the Hillsborough anniversary minute’s silence by a small minority of City fans in this weekend’s FA Cup semi-final.
"The appalled reaction of the vast majority of fans, as well as the quick condemnation by the club and Pep Guardiola, was encouraging and well received. However, we all know that this will not solve the problem, and we believe that dealing with it should be a high priority for the club.
"We are not writing to condemn some fans, or simply to express outrage. Instead, we would like to offer suggestions which can lead to a more positive future for all.
"With this in mind, we would ask City to take the lead on this issue and use its considerable influence it has within the game and over its fans to officially support the following two initiatives:
"The Real Truth Legacy Project – a campaign to get education about Hillsborough added to the National Curriculum.
"A Hillsborough Law – to introduce a statutory duty of candour on public servants during all forms of public inquiry and criminal investigation.
"By doing so, Manchester City can join Liverpool FC, Everton FC and other clubs in their calls to ensure that the legacy of Hillsborough is not forgotten, and that the lies which caused so much pain to families cannot be repeated.
"The rivalry on the pitch with Liverpool has never been stronger than it is right now. Off the pitch however, it should be a different story. Despite calls for a rivalry defined by hatred and aggression in certain sections of the media, there is so much more to be achieved through mutual respect, understanding and friendship.
"We do not claim to represent Manchester City fans, either officially or unofficially, and never have. However, we are well placed to see the benefits of working with and alongside Liverpool fans. It is in this capacity that we are writing to you today.
"Through collaboration with the Merseyside branch of Fans Supporting Foodbanks, we have provided emergency help to foodbanks across both Greater Manchester and Merseyside, produced and supplied thousands of items of PPE across the region during the covid pandemic, launched the Right to Food campaign to end food poverty in the UK, and much more.
"More than anything, the friendships made have enriched our lives as City fans and shown us that football rivalry, even one of such a historic intensity and quality as the current one with Liverpool, can be understood and experienced in an entirely different, more respectful way.
"We value the friendship and comradeship we have found with Liverpool fans extremely highly, and believe that City fans across the board deserve to have similarly positive experiences.
"We ask and urge Manchester City to support the above proposals and lead our fans and the global City community on this issue, for the benefit of all.
"Yours sincerely, MCFC Fans Foodbank Support."
In an additional tweet after posting their letter in full, @MCFCfoodbank added: "City fans have a proud history of supporting the victims of the Hillsborough tragedy, one which we hope to see continue in the future.
"We believe that there is so much more to be achieved through mutual respect, understanding and friendship than a rivalry defined by hatred."
