Luton fans were condemned by the Football Association and former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher for chanting about the Hillsborough disaster during the 1-1 Premier League draw at Kenilworth Road on Sunday; Liverpool are understood to have since asked Luton for answers
Image: Liverpool have written to Luton Town asking for answers over Sunday's tragedy chanting at Kenilworth Road
Liverpool have written a letter to Luton Town asking what they are going to do about the tragedy chanting from their supporters on Sunday.
Luton fans were condemned by the Football Association and Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher on Super Sunday for chanting about the Hillsborough disaster during the 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road.
Liverpool are understood to have since asked Luton for answers over whether they followed new Premier League guidance over tragedy chanting, which includes in-stadia action on the perpetrators and warnings over the tannoy, and what they are going to do about it next.
Sky Sports News understands that Bedfordshire Police are also currently in conversations with Luton Town over the matter.
The Premier League announced stringent new measures on tragedy chanting ahead of the season along with the Crown Prosecution Service, with fans now facing the prospect of criminal prosecution as well as lifetime bans from stadia.
Liverpool have worked closely with supporters’ groups from Manchester City and Manchester United in recent seasons to educate them on the Hillsborough tragedy and the hurt caused by such chanting, and they are also understood to have offered the same guidance to Luton and the club’s supporters in the letter.
Luton launch internal investigation
On Monday evening, Luton released a statement in which they threatened to ban individuals identified as having taken part in the tragedy chanting.
“Luton Town Football Club is saddened by reports of inappropriate chanting towards Liverpool supporters during yesterday’s Premier League fixture at Kenilworth Road.
“The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric for the most part of a pulsating game, in which Rob Edwards’ side came close to pulling off one of the results of the season.
“While we do not wish to dampen the atmosphere at our home ground in any way, we are extremely disappointed that a small number of supporters soured the occasion with chants that may be interpreted as being in relation to tragedies that have affected Liverpool FC in the past.
“The club condemns any kind of chanting that knowingly seeks to divide, and our safety and security team launched an internal investigation at the earliest opportunity.
“What has quickly become evident is that a number of people may have taken part without knowledge that the words used were in relation to the Hillsborough and Heysel tragedies, and we see the route to persuading supporters not to repeat these chants in future is through communication and education.
“On this basis we are reviewing CCTV and media footage from the match, and will speak to witnesses to identify individuals who may have taken part. Any perpetrators could face stadium bans and potential criminal prosecutions.
“If anyone has information and video evidence that will support the investigation, please email [email protected] with the subject ‘Inappropriate Chanting’.
“The eyes of the world are upon us in the Premier League, which we are all learning quickly to adapt to, and we have to remind our supporters that you are all ambassadors of the club and it is your responsibility to behave according to the rules of the ground. This includes understanding the songs that cannot be sung in line with the Love Football, Protect The Game campaign.
“On behalf of all at Luton Town, we would like to wholeheartedly apologise to anyone offended by the chants heard during yesterday’s match, and will continue to work with supporter groups to educate fans on chants that are classed as tragedy abuse by football authorities, the police and CPS.”
Image: Liverpool drew 1-1 with Luton in the Premier League on Sunday
The FA said earlier: “We are aware of the tragedy chanting during yesterday’s Premier League fixture between Luton Town and Liverpool, and we are seeking further observations from Luton Town and further detail from the police.
“We strongly condemn chanting of this nature and will continue to work closely with our stakeholders across the game, including the clubs, leagues, fan groups and the relevant authorities to proactively address the issue.”
Former Liverpool defender Carragher had said on Sky Sports: “At the start of the season I was involved in something with supporters coming together about tragedy chanting. I’ve just heard that a couple of times in this game.
“As supporters you’ve got to have rivalry, there is no doubt. But we’re better than that. All clubs have been guilty of that over the years at different times. But the world we live in right now, I think we’re better than that.”
After the Luton match, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp said he did not hear the chanting, which occurred while the game was still goalless shortly after half-time, but added: “Shame on everyone who said it.”
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FREE TO WATCH: Highlights of Sunday’s 1-1 draw between Luton and Liverpool in the Premier League
Earlier this year, a Tottenham fan was banned from attending matches for three years and fined after making gestures mocking the Hillsborough tragedy during Spurs’ trip to Liverpool in April.
Two months later, a man who wore a shirt at last season’s FA Cup final in June which referenced the Hillsborough tragedy was issued with a four-year football banning order.
Ninety-seven football fans died as a result of a crush at an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough in Sheffield on April 15, 1989.
Sourse: skysports.com
