Uefa wait for report on Manchester United fans' chants

Travelling fans at Anfield reportedly heard chanting about the Hillsborough disaster

Liverpool fans at Anfield on Thursday. Photograph: Reuters
Liverpool fans at Anfield on Thursday. Photograph: Reuters

Manchester United have condemned the section of supporters who allegedly chanted abusive songs about the Hillsborough tragedy on Thursday night.

Uefa is waiting for a report from the Europa League match at Anfield before deciding whether or not to take any disciplinary action against the Old Trafford club.

A Manchester United statement read: “It has always been the position of Manchester United that chants of this nature, which refer to historical tragedies, have no place in the game and do not refelct the club’s values.

“We are discussing with fans to seek support in preventing this behaviour in the future.”

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Merseyside Police revealed it had not received any complaints but is aware of the reports. “Merseyside Police takes all reports seriously and where offences are identified, we would investigate such complaints thoroughly.”

Stan Collymore led criticism on social media of the songs reportedly heard during United's 2-0 defeat. Chants about both the 1989 Hillsborough disaster by United fans and the 1958 Munich air crash from Liverpool fans have marred some matches between the two clubs for many years and have been consistently met with widespread condemnation.

“Those songs speak only for the people singing them,” Collymore tweeted. “Anyone singing about either tragedy associated to either club doesn’t represent majority of fans or clubs themselves. Simple.”

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