Hillsborough survivor calls for greater punishments on 'tragedy chanting'

Tragedy chants have to be eliminated in the same way as those of a racist and sexist nature, according to Hillsborough survivor. In the last week, both Manchester City and Chelsea have apologised to Liverpool and their fans after supporters of both clubs sang songs related to the 1989 disaster in which 97 people were killed. Incidents appear to be on the rise but there currently appears little in the way of deterrents to prevent them.

"The apology from Chelsea was good to hear but it's probably the fifth or sixth one Liverpool have had this season," Hillsborough survivor Tony O'Neil said. "Without legislation there is nothing they can do about it. I think it needs to be dealt with like any racial or sexual chanting that happens at games.

"They (perpetrators) need to be ejected from the ground and given some sort of banning order. "If that doesn't work then, similar to racism, if these things carry on the referee should be instructed to stop the game and bring the players off the pitch. "People need to think 'If we don't stop doing this, the game is going to be over'.

That's the only sort of action I think will have an effect." The chants were particularly audible on the television broadcast during Tuesday's 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge and the concern is that the effect they can have is reaching a wider audience. "I write it off as idiots in the crowd but knowing the effect it has on other survivors, the families and other people affected by Hillsborough it just needs to stop," added O'Neil, who has benefited from the work done by the Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance. "It is different for people sat at home hearing those triggers of chants.