Chelsea anger at fans that 'embarrassed the club' during memorial silence

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Chelsea fans chanted 'murderers' at Wembley stadium during a tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.

Before kick-off in the weekend’s second FA Cup semi-final, the 90,000 supporters inside the stadium were asked to mark the 23rd anniversary of the tragedy in silence.

Normally these tributes last a minute but Sunday’s was described by the stadium announcer as a ‘moment’s’ silence, giving the referee the option to cut it short.

A section of the Chelsea supporters jeered and booed, forcing the referee to abandon the tribute to the 96 victims after just 25 seconds.
Millions of TV viewers and radio listeners heard the tasteless chants of ‘murderers’.

Many fans thought the sound was turned down by ITV producers during the chants. But a spokesman said: ‘We conducted our broadcast as planned.’

Producers avoided showing pictures of abusive fans. Instead ITV filled half the screen with sombre images from Anfield stadium, where an annual memorial service was held earlier in the day to remember the Liverpool Football Club fans who lost their lives.

The disgraceful scenes took place moments before the match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

Football fans and pundits were last night united in condemnation of the abuse.

One viewer wrote: ‘I hope the filth that ruined the minute’s silence never experience a family member leaving to go and watch a match and dying at the game.’


Following the chants, fans who had stayed silent booed.

Commentator Clive Tyldesley said: ‘Is it really asking too much to observe a few moments of silence once a year for the victims of Hillsborough? The reflections of the many spoilt by the thoughtlessness of the few here at Wembley.’


On Sunday night a Chelsea spokesman said: ‘Chelsea Football Club is extremely disappointed a very small minority of fans embarrassed the club today by not honouring the moment’s silence.

‘Chelsea FC believes all moments of respect should be honoured and today we pay our full respects to all those that suffered as a result of the Hillsborough disaster 23 years ago.’ Earlier in the day families of the victims and thousands of fans were joined by Liverpool FC manager Kenny Dalglish and his players for a memorial service at the club’s Anfield ground.

They paid tribute to those who died in the crush at the Leppings Lane end of Sheffield Wednesday’s ground at the beginning of an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.

A minute’s silence was impeccably observed at 3.06pm – the exact moment the referee blew his whistle to abandon the game as the disaster unfolded.

Last week comedian Alan Davies received death threats after commenting on Liverpool’s refusal to play on the anniversary.

On Saturday Liverpool and Everton fans stood in silence to pay respect to the victims before the first FA Cup semi-final.