November 6 – Ex-Liverpool player Jamie Carragher has slammed Luton Town’s supporters after the newly promoted side were heard chanting the ‘Always the victims’ chant, with the Sky Sports pundit insisting that supporters “have to be better than that”.
The chant, which is widely condemned in the English Football League, is associated with the Hillsborough disaster of 1989, where 97 Liverpool fans were killed during the reds’ cup tie versus Nottingham Forest.
An independent panel and fresh inquests exonerated Liverpool fans of any blame for the disaster.
The Premier League came together at the start of the season to create a statement condemning the use of tragedy chants which have become an increasing problem in the Premier League.
The statement read: “Premier League clubs unanimously agreed at the Annual General Meeting today to a series of new measures to address the unacceptable rise in anti-social behaviour involving football tragedy-related chanting, gesturing, graffiti, online abuse and other behaviours last season.”
Jamie Carragher, who played 737 games for Liverpool, remarked on Sky Sports at halftime: “I just want to mention something, the start of the season I was involved in something with supporters coming together about tragedy chanting.
“I just heard in a couple times during this game, you’ve got to have rivalry, but we are better than that.
“Two or three times in game, a few minutes ago as well. All clubs have been guilty of that over the years, but in the world we live in right now, we are better than that.”
Luton Town defied the odds to hold Liverpool to a remarkable draw, in a game packed with frustration and disappointment for both sides.
A grief-stricken Luis Diaz grasped a stoppage time equaliser for the reds, dedicating the goal to his father who remains kidnapped in the winger’s native Colombia.
Luton Town will reassume the David role against Premier League Goliaths next weekend, as they travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United. The Hatters are a point outside the relegation zone thanks to the point picked up against Liverpool and will be hoping to further climb up the table.
Meanwhile, Liverpool returns to UEFA Europa League action in midweek, as the Group E leaders travel to Toulouse with the aim of picking up a further three points and guaranteeing qualification to the next round of the competition.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1714721255labto1714721255ofdlr1714721255owedi1714721255sni@g1714721255niwe.1714721255yrrah1714721255