United Beyond Manchester

Tragedy chanting has marred recent big fixtures, including multiple matches between Manchester United and Liverpool. Erik Ten Hag and Jurgen Klopp released a joint statement last year condemning tragedy chanting and urging United and Liverpool fans to not take their passion too far. Even after this statement, the issues have continued, and the two clubs are continuing their efforts to end this form of chanting.

The Crown Prosecution Service defines tragedy chanting as “when fans sing, chant or gesture offensive messages about disasters or accidents involving players or fans – including references to the Hillsborough Disaster, Munich Air Crash, Bradford Fire, Leeds fans killed in Istanbul, or the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash” (CPS Tragedy Chanting).

Both Liverpool and Manchester United have dark days in their club’s history. For Liverpool, it is the Hillsborough Disaster, and for Manchester United, it is the Munich Air Disaster.

On April 15, 1989, at a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, ninety-four supporters tragically lost their lives at Hillsborough Stadium when fans rushed into the stadium and overcrowding occurred. Amid the overcrowding, fans were trampled and crushed. The scene was horrific and had a profound impact on stadium safety discussions. Many people lost loved ones that day, and the impact on those families continues to this day.

The Munich Air Disaster occurred on February 6, 1958, when an airplane carrying the Manchester United team crashed in Munich during take-off. Twenty-three people died that day, including staff, players, and journalists. Every year, a group of Manchester United players, staff, and fans remember the tragedy in a ceremony.

Education about these events is critical in removing the chants from stands. In the build-up to the upcoming April North-West Derby, the Manchester United and Liverpool Foundations are joining efforts to educate students about the events and why they are so important to each club’s history. Liverpool legend Phil Thompson and Manchester United legend Wes Brown have participated in the discussion with these students. Read Manchester United’s article about this here.

The statement from the managers, the education from the clubs, and the CPS statement and criminal charges are all great efforts in trying to rid the sport of tragedy chanting. Hopefully, these efforts will have a lasting effect on students and older fans alike. At the end of the day, though, it comes down to each fan.

What kind of fan will you be, and how do you want to represent your club? More importantly, how do you want to represent yourself, your family, and your humanity? We live in a world where there is already enough tragedy and hate. Let’s choose to make a difference and show the world that being a United fan means more. Let’s choose to make a positive difference.