Jose Mourinho does not want to see the match between two of English football’s greatest teams marred by disgusting chanting.
Manchester United and Liverpool released a joint statement on Thursday in which they asked for respect to be shown between the sets of supporters at Anfield on Monday night.
The statement was made in the hope that we wouldn’t see a repeat of the ugly scenes that took place when the teams met in the Europa League back in March.
Unfortunately, chants that make reference to the Hillsborough disaster and the Munich air crash have been heard at various meetings of Liverpool and United down the years.
And United manager Jose Mourinho, speaking in his pre-match press conference, expressed his hope that the upcoming game would not see any similar incidents taking place.
“In football you have some football tragedies,” said Mourinho. “You lose a big match or make a mistake. You can make fun of it.
“Human tragedy is something much more serious. It is the last thing someone should use in a football pitch. Really big tragedies are serious.”
96 Liverpool fans died when the Merseyside club played Nottingham Forest in the semi-final of the FA Cup at Hillsborough in 1989.
In 1958, eight Manchester United players were among the 23 fatalities when the plane that was carrying them crashed in Munich.
“I will be really sad if in such a big football match that was a negative point,” Mourinho added.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp echoed his rival’s calls for respect in the stands while supporters enjoy what should be a compelling game of football on the pitch.
“We should use this opportunity on the pitch to make sure all the nice stories are written about what happens on it, and not around,” Klopp said.
“Big respect is what this sport stands for and you face your biggest opponents and play football against them. That is the battle we have, that is where we should show who is the best and create a special atmosphere.”
The GAA Hour continues on Wednesdays for the rest of the club season. Subscribe on iTunes.
