Section of Man Utd fans seen taunting Liverpool over Hillsborough disaster during home side's 4-0 win at Anfield on Tuesday; United say they "stand in solidarity with Liverpool" and will "educate fans"; Liverpool fans earlier supported Cristiano Ronaldo after the death of newborn son
Thursday 21 April 2022 16:27, UK
Manchester United have condemned the behaviour of fans who sang offensive chants about the Hillsborough disaster at Liverpool on Tuesday as "completely unacceptable".
Video footage has emerged of a section of United fans taunting their rivals over the tragedy that claimed 97 lives in 1989 during their 4-0 defeat at Anfield.
United claim they will seek to educate fans, with a club spokesperson saying: "Manchester United stands in solidarity with Liverpool FC and its fans in remembering the victims of the Hillsborough Disaster.
"Offensive chants about the tragedy are completely unacceptable and we will work with our supporters' groups to educate fans on the issue."
The chants came after Liverpool fans had joined in with a minute's support for United forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who was absent from the game following the death of his newborn child, as they sang their anthem 'You'll Never Walk Alone'.
The scenes, and subsequent apology, come just days after Manchester City were forced to apologise after their fans sang during a minute's silence ahead of the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.
In a statement on the club's website, Liverpool called for tougher punishments to wipe out the "abhorrent slurs".
It read: "Liverpool FC is saddened by the recent rise in vile chants about the Hillsborough disaster.
"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."
