Manchester United supporters face backlash for offensive chants
Video footage has surfaced showing around five Manchester United supporters singing offensive chants mocking the death of Diogo Jota as crowds made their way to Old Trafford ahead of the recent clash with Liverpool, reports BritPanorama.
The supporters were filmed chanting “Jota’s gone, bye-bye” before the match, which ended in a 3-2 victory for Manchester United.
This behaviour disrupted what was otherwise a mood of solidarity between the two rival clubs. The match marked the first encounter at Old Trafford since Jota and his brother, Andre, were tragically killed in a car accident in Spain last summer.
In response, many United supporters distanced themselves from those involved, urging the club to impose bans on the offenders. Notably, during the match, a considerable number of home fans participated in Liverpool’s minute of applause for Jota, which occurred in the 20th minute to commemorate his squad number.
Reports indicated that the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust had been approached about encouraging fans to join the tribute, although representatives from MUST later denied any such communication took place.
Prior to the match, former United manager Ruben Amorim, alongside Portuguese internationals Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot, paid their respects by laying flowers at Anfield in memory of Jota.
The 20th-minute applause has become a poignant tradition at Liverpool matches since the tragedy, with supporters timing their tribute as a reflection of Jota’s number. A notable segment of United fans did choose to honour this moment during the weekend’s encounter.
This incident serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between rivalry and respect in football, highlighting how deeply personal loss can resonate within the sport’s community.
