Football is LOVE
The Premier League has issued a strong response to the tragedy chanting heard at Liverpool’s draw with Luton Town on Sunday.
Songs about the Hillsborough tragedy were heard from the stands at Kenilworth Road.
League bosses have now revealed they will launch a new education scheme to teach young people the harm hateful chanting does to other supporters and the families of the victims of tragedies.
“The Premier League strongly condemns all forms of football tragedy abuse and was appalled by the chanting heard at Sunday’s match between Luton Town and Liverpool FC,” read the statement.
“We, alongside clubs, The FA and EFL, continue to treat offensive tragedy-related chanting, gesturing and displaying of abusive messages as an unacceptable issue and are committed to working together to address it as a priority.
“New tough measures were introduced at the start of this season, which mean people who are found to have committed offences face stadium bans and potential criminal prosecution.
“This applies to abuse occurring in stadium or online. Action has already been taken this season, with incidents investigated and bans issued.
“Football tragedy abuse causes significant distress to the victims’ families and other football supporters.
“As part of the package of measures announced at the start of the season, the Premier League will launch education resources to help children understand the hurt and impact of negative behaviour such as tragedy-related abuse.”
The teaching resource is supported by Liverpool supporter Margaret Aspinall, former Chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, whose son James tragically died at Hillsborough.
Margaret said: “Football brings so much joy to so many people all over the world, but there is no need for people to be chanting in the way they do.
“The pain it causes is unbearable; we do not deserve to hear these chants, they hurt just as much as losing your child.
“If you hear that chanting, go to a steward, report it as, through the proper authorities, you can change things.
“Anything that offends or hurts anybody is never acceptable.”
