Rob Edwards apologises for tragedy chanting directed towards Liverpool fans during their 1-1 draw with Luton… as he urges Hatters supporters to ‘bring the noise, but do it with respect’

• Luton earned a superb 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Kenilworth Road on Sunday
• However, the clash was marred by tragedy chanting towards Reds supporters
• Why Luton are the team that can stay up from promoted clubs: It’s All Coming Up

Luton Town boss Rob Edwards has apologised for the tragedy chants that were aimed at Liverpool fans during their clash last week.

The Hatters picked up an impressive point against the Reds on Sunday, drawing 1-1, but the game was marred by unsavoury songs from the Kenilworth Road crowd.

Chants of ‘always the victims, it’s never your fault’ – a song that refers back to the Hillsborough Disaster in 1989 and the Heysel Stadium Disaster four years earlier – could be heard during the game, with co-commentator Jamie Carragher calling it out live on air.

And Edwards, speaking ahead of Luton’s trip to Old Trafford to take on Man United on Saturday, hit out at the songs and joined the club in expressing his remorse.

‘A statement has gone out from the football club and I want to apologise as well,’ Edwards said. 

Luton boss Rob Edwards has apologised for tragedy chants that were aimed at Liverpool fans

The two sides played out a 1-1 draw, but the game was marred by the the unsavoury chanting 

‘We don’t condone that, of course, and there’s an investigation going on at the moment.’

Luton released the aforementioned statement on Monday, where they ‘wholeheartedly apologised to anyone offended by the chants’, before they added that they were ‘extremely disappointed’. 

However, the club received criticism after they claimed it was only ‘a small number of supporters’ who had taken part in the chanting.  

Bedfordshire Police have also got involved in investigating the chanting after Liverpool contacted Luton on Monday to question their response in the immediate aftermath of their clash.

And Edwards called on Hatters supporters to back their side at Old Trafford, but to do it with dignity.

He added: ‘In terms of a message to our supporters, go out tomorrow, we want them to bring the noise – but let’s be good and be respectful.

‘Sunday is Remembrance Sunday and Sir Bobby Charlton’s funeral is on Monday as well, so we go to Old Trafford at an important time.’

Meanwhile, the Premier League insisted they were ‘appalled’ by the chanting, while the FA said they ‘strongly condemned’ it.

In a statement earlier this week, the top flight had said: ‘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 FC and Liverpool FC.  

‘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. 

Edwards called on Hatters fans to ‘bring the noise, but do it with respect’ against Man United

Luton had put in an extremely impressive performance against Liverpool to secure a draw

‘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.

‘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 draw against Liverpool ensured Luton moved out of the relegation zone on goal difference and they will hope to back that up against eighth-place Man United this afternoon. 

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