FA Cup: Manchester United fan arrested for wearing highly offensive shirt
London police on Sunday, June 4, announced that it arrested a Manchester United fan after he was pictured wearing a highly offensive shirt during the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
The offensive shirt the Manchester United fan wore had the number 97 on the back and the words ‘not enough’ across the top.
The words appear to be a mocking reference to the 97 Liverpool fans who died following the Hillsborough disaster. They died as a result of a crush at the stadium in Sheffield during Liverpool’s FA Cup semi-final with Nottingham Forest on April 15, 1989.
After a picture of the fan began circulating on social media, the Metropolitan Police Events announced that officers arrested the man on suspicion of a public order offence during the FA Cup Final at Wembley.
Condemning the fan’s action, the English Football Association said in a statement in a statement;
“The FA strongly condemns the actions of the individual who wore a shirt referencing the Hillsborough disaster ahead of the Emirates FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium.
“We saw a photograph of the offensive shirt on social media and immediately started working to identify the perpetrator. Our security team were able to quickly locate the individual based on the image, and we welcome the swift action which was then taken by the police.
“We will not tolerate abuse relating to Hillsborough or any football tragedy at Wembley Stadium and we will continue to work with the authorities to ensure strong action is taken against perpetrators.”
Manchester City won the FA Cup final 2-1 thanks to two goals from Ilkay Gundogan at Wembley.
The police also confirmed they arrested 22 others during the final for offences including assault, affray, possession of drugs and drunk and disorderly behaviour.
However, there have not yet been arrests made after a item was thrown onto the pitch and appeared to strike United’s Victor Lindelof shortly after Bruno Fernandes equalised from the penalty spot.
