Ten Hag urges fans to stop tragedy chanting
Erik ten Hag has made a personal plea to Manchester United and Liverpool supporters ahead of Sunday's huge Premier League game at Old Trafford, calling for an end to chanting about historical tragedies.
The archrivals are preparing for a second meeting at our stadium in the space of three weeks, following the epic Emirates FA Cup quarter-final when Ten Hag's men scored twice in extra time to triumph 4-3 against Jurgen Klopp's side.
And while the United manager would clearly welcome a similar outcome and the same electric atmosphere that helped his players defeat difficult opponents, he vehemently does not want any repeat of the abusive chanting that has sometimes marred the biggest fixture in English football.
And while the United manager would clearly welcome a similar outcome and the same electric atmosphere that helped his players defeat difficult opponents, he vehemently does not want any repeat of the abusive chanting that has sometimes marred the biggest fixture in English football.
Tackling tragedy chanting together Video
Tackling tragedy chanting together
United and Liverpool collaborated to educate young people on why tragedy chanting has to stop...
Writing in his regular column for United Review, our official matchday programme, Ten Hag referred back to the game on 17 March when he said: "The atmosphere our fans generated was incredible that afternoon.
"If we can produce the same noise levels around Old Trafford, then we have already seen what a positive force it can be and the impact that it has on the players.
"As such, it is part of my duty to remind every supporter fortunate enough to be at the game that it must be enjoyed in the proper way, and not used as an excuse for abusing rival fans about Hillsborough, Heysel or any other historic tragedies."
"If we can produce the same noise levels around Old Trafford, then we have already seen what a positive force it can be and the impact that it has on the players.
"As such, it is part of my duty to remind every supporter fortunate enough to be at the game that it must be enjoyed in the proper way, and not used as an excuse for abusing rival fans about Hillsborough, Heysel or any other historic tragedies."
The boss continued: "This is one of the truly great rivalries in world sport, for so many of the right reasons, and it is our responsibility to keep it that way.
"Whether the clubs meet at Old Trafford or Anfield, all supporters must focus entirely on backing their team and both Jurgen and I trust that we can count on that happening today [on Sunday]."
Since last month's game, United and Liverpool have worked together to deliver an education programme on why tragedy-related abuse needs to stop.
"Whether the clubs meet at Old Trafford or Anfield, all supporters must focus entirely on backing their team and both Jurgen and I trust that we can count on that happening today [on Sunday]."
Since last month's game, United and Liverpool have worked together to deliver an education programme on why tragedy-related abuse needs to stop.
United and Liverpool work to combat tragedy abuse
ArticleThe two clubs' Foundations have jointly delivered an education programme on why tragedy chanting must stop.
A legend from each team, Wes Brown and Phil Thompson, joined staff from Manchester United Foundation and Liverpool FC Foundation at an event in Huyton, Merseyside to speak to schoolchildren from both cities.
The young people learned about the huge impact that the Hillsborough and Munich disasters had on the clubs, their fans and their communities. John Shiels, CEO of Manchester United Foundation, said: "It is unacceptable to use the loss of life, in relation to any tragedy, to score points, and it is time for it to stop.
"We are proud to come together with LFC Foundation as we believe education will break the generational cycle on this issue and help thousands of young people across this region understand the impact tragedy-related abuse has."
The young people learned about the huge impact that the Hillsborough and Munich disasters had on the clubs, their fans and their communities. John Shiels, CEO of Manchester United Foundation, said: "It is unacceptable to use the loss of life, in relation to any tragedy, to score points, and it is time for it to stop.
"We are proud to come together with LFC Foundation as we believe education will break the generational cycle on this issue and help thousands of young people across this region understand the impact tragedy-related abuse has."
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