Premier League promises crackdown on 'tragedy chanting'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
12 Feb 23:37

The English Premier League says it is treating the issue of tragedy chanting as a priority and as a matter of urgency.

The Premier League logo on a glass window at the league's headquarters in London, March 13, 2020 (AFP)

The Premier League said treating the issue of supporters chanting about tragic incidents is a priority after both Leeds and Manchester United fans taunted their rivals on Sunday.

United won 2-0 winners at Elland Road but the match was poisoned by supporters exchanging chants about the Munich air disaster, which killed eight United players in 1958, and the death of two Leeds fans in Istanbul in 2000.

"The Premier League condemns the chanting heard during today's match between Leeds United and Manchester United," the league said in a statement.

It added that "the League is treating the issue of tragedy chanting as a priority and as a matter of urgency."

There have previously been calls from Liverpool fans for the Premier League to take action on chanting about the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

In a joint statement after the match, Leeds and Manchester United said, "Both clubs strongly condemn chanting from both sets of fans regarding historic tragedies at today's game."

"Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and we will continue to work together with our respective fan groups and the Premier League and other authorities on eradicating it from football," the clubs underlined.