According to various reports, Liverpool are investigating a matter where one of their youth players mocked the Munich air disaster that killed members of the Manchester United squad in 1958. 20-year-old Jordan Williams is an academy graduate and had reportedly posted the tweet after Liverpool eliminated Manchester united in the Europa League.
After leading 2-0 from the first leg, Liverpool arrived at Old Trafford and went down to an Anthony Martial goal before Philippe Coutinho leveled the game just before half-time. United were unable to get going following the equaliser and went out of a European competition for the second time this season.
Soon after the full-time whistle, a video of Liverpool fans celebrating at Old Trafford was circulated on Twitter and it is understood that Williams responded to that with a two emojis of hands clapping and an aeroplane.
23 people had died in the crash in 1958 when the airplane failed to take off in snowy weather at Munich Airport. Of those who died, eight were Manchester United players and three were members of the coaching staff, apart from journalists and a couple of other passengers.
Liverpool and United fans are not new to taunting each other. The Anfield club has been mocked in the past following the Hillsborough disaster that saw 96 fans lose their lives in a stadium crush after they were pinned to the fences surrounding the pitch by swelling crowds.
On the other hand, Liverpool fans have also taunted United with aeroplane gestures with chants that insult the memories of those who lost their lives.
Williams claims his Twitter account was hacked
The tweet itself has now been deleted and Williams also apologised. But he also claimed that his account had been hacked and that he had never sent the offensive tweet.
“My Twitter has been hacked,” Williams wrote. “I would never put anything like that to offend anyone, sorry about this.”
Williams has also deleted his verified Twitter account.
The game itself was marred by many different unpleasant instances of hate between the two clubs. Before the game, a banner was hung on the M602 motorway that read ‘Murderers’ with the date 15 April 1989 – the day of the Hillsborough disaster.
During the game, with Liverpool all set to secure a quarter-final berth, a few Liverpool supporters seated along with home fans tried to unfurl a Liverpool flag, inviting punches from the home support before stewards arrived and took action to prevent any more untoward incidents.
