Luton say ‘the Club condemns any kind of chanting that knowingly seeks to divide’ (Photo: Getty)
Luton Town have ‘wholeheartedly apologised’ after a ‘small number of supporters’ sang tragedy chants during their Premier League draw with Liverpool.
The Hatters earned a remarkable point against the Reds on Sunday, but the game was marred after Hillsborough-related taunts could be heard at Kenilworth Road.
Home fans reportedly sang: ‘Always the victim, never to blame,’ toward the away end.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and club legend Jamie Carragher were quick to condemn the chanting, as was Luton boss Rob Edwards.
The FA issued a statement saying they were in contact with the police to deal with the incident, though there was reportedly concern from Liverpool’s side that Luton had remained quiet on the matter.
That changed on Monday evening, with the club releasing their own statement, where they revealed an internal investigation had begun promptly after the chants were first heard.
‘Luton Town Football Club is saddened by reports of inappropriate chanting towards Liverpool supporters during yesterday’s Premier League fixture at Kenilworth Road,’ the statement read.
Tragedy chants were heard at Kenilworth Road (Photo: Getty)
‘The atmosphere inside the stadium was electric for the most part of a pulsating game, in which Rob Edwards’ side came close to pulling off one of the results of the season.
‘While we do not wish to dampen the atmosphere at our home ground in any way, we are extremely disappointed that a small number of supporters soured the occasion with chants that may be interpreted as being in relation to tragedies that have affected Liverpool FC in the past.
‘The Club condemns any kind of chanting that knowingly seeks to divide, and our safety and security team launched an internal investigation at the earliest opportunity.
Tahith Chong gave Luton the lead against Liverpool before Luis Diaz equalised (Photo: Getty)
‘What has quickly become evident is that a number of people may have taken part without knowledge that the words used were in relation to the Hillsborough and Heysel tragedies, and we see the route to persuading supporters not to repeat these chants in future is through communication and education.
‘On this basis we are reviewing CCTV and media footage from the match, and will speak to witnesses to identify individuals who may have taken part. Any perpetrators could face stadium bans and potential criminal prosecutions.
‘If anyone has information and video evidence that will support the investigation, please email [email protected] with the subject “Inappropriate Chanting”.
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‘The eyes of the world are upon us in the Premier League, which we are all learning quickly to adapt to, and we have to remind our supporters that you are all ambassadors of the Club and it is your responsibility to behave according to the rules of the ground.
‘This includes understanding the songs that cannot be sung in line with the Love Football, Protect The Game campaign.
‘On behalf of all at Luton Town, we would like to wholeheartedly apologise to anyone offended by the chants heard during yesterday’s match, and will continue to work with supporter groups to educate fans on chants that are classed as tragedy abuse by football authorities, the police and CPS.’
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‘Our safety and security team launched an internal investigation at the earliest opportunity.’