FA condemns Manchester City fans’ ‘abhorrent’ Hillsborough chants

The Football Association has condemned the chants about the Hillsborough disaster by Manchester City fans during the club’s match against Liverpool on Saturday.

“We are very concerned about the rise of abhorrent chants in stadiums that are related to the Hillsborough disaster and other football-related tragedies,” said an FA spokesperson. “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.

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“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.”

On Saturday City released a statement saying the club was “disappointed to have heard inappropriate chants from home fans” and that “we regret any offence these chants may have caused”.

The club also apologised for that fact that Liverpool’s team coach was damaged after the match.