Liverpool fans BLAST the Police over response to 'tragedy chanting'
Liverpool fans blast the Met Police over their response to ‘tragedy chanting’ heard during 1-1 draw with Chelsea after making just ONE arrest
- Chants reportedly included the words ‘always the victims’ and ‘murderers’
- The Hillsborough Survivors Support Association were quick to comment
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Liverpool fans have taken to social media to criticise the perceived slow response of the Metropolitan Police after their clash with Chelsea saw a return of tragedy chanting.
The Reds were held to a 1-1 draw by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday in arguably the most highly-billed game of the Premier League’s opening weekend, with goals from Luis Diaz and debutant Axel Disasi in the first half.
However, what ought to have been a celebratory moment with the return of top-flight football was quickly soured by those in the ground that began chanting about the Hillsborough disaster.
Chants could reportedly be heard with the words ‘always the victims’ and ‘murderers’, thought to be aimed at the visiting supporters, in reference to the deaths of 97 fans in 1989 due to crowding at the Hillsborough stadium.
The Met Police released a statement on Twitter after the event on Sunday, informing that they had identified two males allegedly suspected of taking part.
Tragedy chants were reportedly heard at Stamford Bridge on Sunday for the Liverpool game
Jurgen Klopp’s side were held to a 1-1 draw by the Blues with Axel Disasi and Luis Diaz scoring
The Metropolitan Police’s Football Unit released a statement after the game explaining their response
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The statement reads: ‘Officers have been made aware of reports on social media re: tragedy chanting at the Chelsea v Liverpool match.
‘Working with the club we have identified 2 males suspected of engaging in this behaviour. One was arrested on suspicion of public order offences & the other was ejected.’
However, despite the Police’s declaration, Twitter has seen widespread criticism of the move, with many in disbelief that only two people had been identified.
Many fans pointed to the fact that the chanting could be heard through the television and around the ground, where some 40,096 fans were in attendance, suggesting the real number was far higher.
The Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance (HSA) were quick to respond to the Police statement, writing: ‘Can we just ask why you only became aware of it via social media?
‘Surely officers at the ground, manning CCTV were ideally situated to hear and observe exactly what was going on.
‘It was heard loud and clear via our supporters in the ground and by everyone at home watching.’
The sentiment was echoed by a number of viewers, with one adding: ‘Missing the point a bit. Great that people have been caught but you are trying to tell is only two were involved are you.
‘I guess this is where the Premier League steps in for more formal punishment? They would look v weak if this fails on the first weekend of the season.’
The Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance queried the slow response from the Met Police
Fans were quick to suggest that there were more than two fans responsible for the chanting
Another wrote: ‘Absolutely rubbish .. you could hear the whole crowd chanting through the TV, but the new Premier League rules addressed individuals not whole sections of crowd… so you will pick out 1 or 2 so it looks like your doing something… embarrassing.’
A third joked: ‘Must have been pretty loud if they managed to be heard clearly throughout the whole stadium as well as on TV?’
A fourth fan offered a similar scathing sarcastic retort, writing: ‘Two people? Little wonder that the police on duty evidentially didn’t hear anything. Bang-up job, boys! This is never going to change whilst you turn a blind eye to it #JFT97.’
Similar chants were reportedly heard back in April when Chelsea and Liverpool faced off, with the Blues at the time releasing a statement condemning the actions of those fans involved.
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