Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp accepts apology from Manchester City after their fans disrupted the Hillsborough tribute
Speaking in his post-match press conference (h/t Liverpool Echo) after Liverpool beat Manchester City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley, Jurgen Klopp accepted the Cityzen’s apology which was issued after some of their fans disrupted the minute’s silence during the Hillsborough tribute.
Prior to kick-off, fans of both teams inside the stadium were supposed to observe silence for 60 seconds in memory of the 97 Liverpool fans that lost their lives on April 15, 1989. While LFC fans were impeccable in their tribute, City fans broke into a pro- City chant.
This particular incident is close to the heart of Liverpool fans not just on Merseyside, but those around the world as well. Some City fans failing to maintain decorum for as little as one minute was, of course, a disgraceful event and one that demanded an official apology from the club itself- which they issued in due time through a spokesperson (h/t Sky Sports).
“Manchester City are extremely disappointed with the actions of some City supporters during the minute’s silence before today’s game. The club sincerely apologises to all those connected with Liverpool Football Club.”
Later on, during his own presser, Klopp accepted City’s apology because he understood that this wasn’t the real face of the Manchester-based club. And he is right, because a section of their supporters inside the stadium doesn’t represent their entire fanbase.
“Of course (we accept it), of course. We know this is not Man City. Some people didn’t understand the situation. That’s not nice and it felt really wrong in that moment but we can’t change that. It has nothing to do with City and of course we accept the apology.”
LFC smash Man City to bits in a frantic first 45
Rivalry is something that gives a heartbeat to the sport of football. But one must always know where to draw the line. Some things are always going to be bigger than the sport and hopefully, this incident educates those who do not understand the gravity of the situation.
We can’t say for sure how that moment of disrespect from City fans affected the mentality of the Liverpool players, but they were ruthless in the first half of the game- unforgivingly putting three past Pep Guardiola’s side.
A goal right at the start and the end of the second half from Man City made the match nervy, but games of this nature are rarely ever going to be overwhelmingly one-sided. What mattered was a spot in the FA Cup final that takes place next month.
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And that too on a day when the supporters got the chance to come together and remember the 97 souls that perished 33 years ago during an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest. Chelsea and Crystal Palace face each other later today for the chance to face the Reds in the showpiece occasion in May.
