Uefa has said an investigation into disturbances at the Europa League match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford remains ongoing after the song “Manchester is full of shit” prompted a charge of illicit chanting against the Anfield club.
References to the disasters at Hillsborough, Heysel and Munich were heard over both legs of the last-16 tie between the north-west rivals, although only Liverpool have been charged with illicit chanting. They have also been charged over fans setting off fireworks and throwing objects, crowd disturbances and arriving late for kick-off at Old Trafford. United have been charged with crowd disturbances, the throwing of objects and stairways being blocked.
The illicit chanting charge raises questions over the sensibilities of the Belgian delegate Jean Paul Mievis, who compiled the Uefa report on events in the second leg at Old Trafford. The first leg at Anfield did not result in any Uefa action.
However, while only the “Manchester is full of shit” song has been mentioned to Liverpool in relation to the charge, the possibility of further details emerging from Uefa remains.
European football’s governing body has said “a disciplinary case is still ongoing” and details on exact charges will be confirmed “only if and when a disciplinary case has been opened”. The case will be heard on 19 May, the day after the Europa League final in Basel.