A 44-year-old man has been charged in relation to tragedy chanting during the FA Cup quarter-final between Liverpool and Manchester United.
The video of a Manchester United fan at Old Trafford was widely circulated on social media. This was investigated by the Greater Manchester Police’s Specialist Operational football investigation team.
🚨Breaking: Police have charged Michael Bernard Avery, 44 and of Manchester, with a public order offence after a video was shared of a man in the home section of the Old Trafford crowd at United v Liverpool. He's been bailed. GMP say a video of alleged tragedy chanting in the…
— Mike Keegan (@MikeKeegan_DM) March 20, 2024
Manchester United fan charged
GMP announced that eight arrests and a charge relating to pyrotechnics had been made on Monday, March 18, 2024.
However, they have announced today that an additional fan called Michael Bernard Avery has been charged with Section 4a of the Public Order Act 1986. He has now been bailed.
Chief Inspector Jamie Collins, Silver Commander for the event, said: “Our investigation into this fixture in relation to supporter conduct is ongoing and continuing at pace and we encourage members of the public to carry on reporting incidents so we can investigate.
“We are reiterating the message that any kind of gesture or comments from any supporters to other clubs in relation to tragedy chanting will not be tolerated and is completely unacceptable.
“I would also like this to be a strong warning for any supporters attending future fixtures in Greater Manchester, including the up-and-coming Premier League fixture between these two clubs, that if you engage in this behaviour GMP officers will do everything possible to bring you in front of the courts.
“Both clubs involved, and the vast majority of supporters agree with this stance and despite the time passed we will continue to take proactive and appropriate action to tragedy chanting amongst other offences.”
GMP to investigate alleged tragedy chanting in away section
GMP also confirmed that they are investigating a video of alleged tragedy chanting in the away section of Old Trafford, where Liverpool fans were located on Sunday.