Liverpool bus attacked on journey from Etihad Stadium

The Liverpool bus arrives at the Etihad | Photo Credit: Courtesy

FOOTBALL Liverpool bus attacked on journey from Etihad Stadium

Shafic Kiyaga 19:29 - 01.04.2023

The Premier League champions have pledged to support Greater Manchester Police's investigation into the incident, saying that "incidents of this kind are totally unacceptable."

Manchester City has condemned the behaviour of individuals who damaged the Liverpool team coach following their 4-1 victory at Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

The Liverpool coach was reportedly hit by an object in a residential area on its way back from the match.

The Premier League champions have pledged to support Greater Manchester Police's investigation into the incident, saying that "incidents of this kind are totally unacceptable."

The club has also apologized for "inappropriate chants" made by some of its fans during the match, which it said it will work to eradicate from future fixtures.

"Incidents of this kind are totally unacceptable," City said in a statement; "We strongly condemn the actions of the individual(s) responsible."

"We regret any offence these chants may have caused and will continue to work with supporter groups and officials from both clubs to eradicate hateful chanting from this fixture."

This is not the first time that the two teams have clashed over offensive behavior.

Similar chanting was heard during their previous fixture at Anfield, and in 2018, City's bus was attacked with bottles, cans, and flares before a Champions League quarter-final.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has also been a target of abusive behaviour by some Liverpool fans, with coins reportedly thrown at him during the October 2021 league meeting between the two clubs.

The Football Association has also expressed concerns over the rise of "abhorrent chants" related to stadium tragedies, with the Premier League treating the issue as a priority and a matter of urgency.

The tragic Hillsborough stadium disaster of 1989, in which 97 Liverpool fans lost their lives, remains a sensitive topic for Liverpool and football fans in general.

Both managers of Liverpool and Manchester United have previously called for an end to "tragedy chanting" in joint statements before their teams' meetings.