NewsLiverpool FC and Manchester United Foundations join forces to educate on tragedy chanting

In the lead-up to the Premier League fixture between the sides at Old Trafford on Sunday April 7, the two Foundations invited schoolchildren from Liverpool and Manchester to Lord Derby School in Huyton for an afternoon of learning about the tragic histories of two great football clubs.

Phil Thompson and Wes Brown – who won 12 league titles and five European Cups between them for the Reds and United respectively – joined the session in Huyton and spoke with students about the huge impact the Hillsborough and Munich disasters had on the two clubs, their fans and the cities.

The two Foundations are developing the programme in partnership with the Premier League and plan to make it an annual part of their engagement with tens of thousands of young people across the Merseyside and Greater Manchester regions.

Liverpool and United have been at the forefront of the Premier League’s campaign against tragedy-related abuse, with managers Jürgen Klopp and Erik ten Hag last season issuing a joint statement calling for an end to chanting about Hillsborough, Heysel and Munich.

In addition to measures to educate fans, both clubs are committed to action against those found to have committed tragedy-related abuse, whether in stadiums or online. Club bans have been imposed on several fans following the recent Emirates FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford and tragedy chanting is also liable to criminal prosecution.

Matt Parish, CEO of LFC Foundation, said: “This is a hugely important event which both clubs are committed to making happen every year. Our two proud Foundations coming together to show young people, and all others, how we stand united against tragedy chanting is a very powerful message.

“Education is key, alongside appropriate action, to eradicating vile tragedy chanting in all its forms forever, and we’re delighted to be able to do our bit to help.”

John Shiels, CEO of Manchester United Foundation, added: “It is unacceptable to use the loss of life, in relation to any tragedy, to score points, and it is time for it to stop.

“We are proud to come together with LFC Foundation as we believe education will break the generational cycle on this issue and help thousands of young people across this region understand the impact tragedy-related abuse has.”

The education programme was also supported – in personal capacities – by Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram and Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham.