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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Richard Fay

FA issue statement after Manchester United fan arrested for wearing Hillsborough disaster shirt

The Football Association has released a statement condemning the actions of a Manchester United fan who wore a shirt allegedly referencing the Hillsborough disaster ahead of the FA Cup final.

Police in London arrested the apparent United supporter after he was pictured wearing a shirt with the number 97 on the back and the words 'not enough' across the top.

The words appear to be a mocking reference to the 97 Liverpool fans who died following the Hillsborough disaster. They died as a result of a crush at the stadium in Sheffield during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final with Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.

Read more: Fan arrested for mocking Liverpool over Hillsborough tragedy at the FA Cup final

After a picture of the fan began circulating on social media, the Metropolitan Police Events Twitter account revealed officers had arrested a man on suspicion of a public order offence during the FA Cup Final at Wembley.

A statement released by the FA on Sunday read: "The FA strongly condemns the actions of the individual who wore a shirt referencing the Hillsborough disaster ahead of the Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.

"We saw a photograph of the offensive shirt on social media and immediately started working to identify the perpetrator. Our security team were able to quickly locate the individual based on the image, and we welcome the swift action which was then taken by the police.

"We will not tolerate abuse relating to Hillsborough or any football tragedy at Wembley Stadium and we will continue to work with the authorities to ensure strong action is taken against perpetrators."

Earlier in the day, the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance slammed the 'despicable' behaviour and also thanked 'genuine Manchester United fans' for their messages of support.

The HSA statement reads: "On Saturday 3rd June 2023, the first ever all Manchester cup final took place at Wembley between Manchester City and Manchester United.

"It was the opportunity for Manchester as a city to show itself in its best light but unfortunately this was marred by a so-called Manchester United fan wearing an away shirt that mocked the deaths of the 97 unlawfully killed at Hillsborough, the families and the survivors of the tragedy that took place on April 15th 1989.

"On the back of the shirt was the number 97 and above that, where players' names are normally displayed, were the words Not Enough.

"HSA was alerted to this despicable act on Twitter and we at Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance would like to thank the FA, Metropolitan Police and security staff at Wembley for their swift action and arrest of the so-called Manchester United fan who wore an away shirt with such an abhorrent message targeting family members and survivors of the Hillsborough disaster back in 1989.

"Let's hope the justice system can be as swift with the appropriate punishment for this act of hatred. We would also like to thank the messages of support that we have received from all genuine Manchester United fans, and fans from other clubs for their support."

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