Burnley Fan is Spotted Making Sick Gestures Mocking the Munich Air Disaster During Draw with Man -Utd

2024-04-28 22

Burnley has vowed to 'identify and prosecute' fans involved in tragedy-related chanting and gestures against Manchester United, after condemning footage of a supporter appearing to mock the Munich air disaster.

Footage was posted on social media following Burnley's 1-1 draw against Man United on Saturday.

Clarets supporters celebrated Zeki Amdouni's equalizer from the penalty spot in the 87th minute at Old Trafford.

One supporter was seen making airplane gestures with his arms towards Man United fans and appeared to say the word 'Munich'.

The gesture appears to be about the 1958 Munich Air Disaster, in which 23 people died on their way home from a European match, including many members of the Man United team nicknamed the 'Busby Babes'.

Burnley issued a statement on Saturday night condemning the 'offensive footage', with the club vowing to work with Man United and police to identify and prosecute fans involved.

'We are aware of offensive footage currently circulating on social media from the away end of today’s fixture at Old Trafford,' a Burnley statement read.

'Tragedy-related gesturing and chanting is completely unacceptable, and Burnley Football Club takes a zero-tolerance approach.

'We will continue to work with Greater Manchester Police, Lancashire Police and Manchester United to help identify and prosecute the individuals responsible.'

Two supporters were arrested on suspicion of tragedy chanting during the FA Cup match between Man United and Liverpool at Old Trafford in March.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed a man was arrested after United fans were heard singing 'always the Victims, it's never your fault', 'The Sun was Right – you're Murderers'.

An FA spokesman said: ‘We strongly condemn any offensive, abusive, and discriminatory chants in football stadiums, and we are determined to stamp this behavior out.

'It is entirely unacceptable and can have a lasting and damaging impact on people and communities within our game. It must stop, and we support any club and their fans who try to eradicate this from the terraces.'

Three United supporters, meanwhile, were arrested earlier this year following chants relating to Hillsborough when the two sides met at Anfield in December.

Last month, Mail Sport revealed that three Arsenal supporters part of the Ashburton Army each received a three-year football banning order for tragic chanting relating to the Hillsborough disaster during the Gunners' FA Cup third-round defeat to Liverpool in January

Football authorities and police have been attempting a major crackdown on tragedy chanting and last June, Premier League teams came together to agree new measures for tackling the rise in tragedy-related chanting at matches.

Football clubs and officials are backing the crackdown by issuing stadium bans and football banning orders to fans caught tragedy chanting, as well as bypassing CCTV footage over to the police.

Mail Sport has contacted Greater Manchester Police for a comment.