Ferguson: Supportive of the situation
Sir Alex Ferguson has promised Liverpool total support ahead of what
he accepts will be an emotional Premier League encounter with Manchester
United on Sunday.
The game will be the first to be played at Anfield since
the damning report on the Hillsborough tragedy was released last
Wednesday, placing the blame for the disaster, in which 96 people died,
on South Yorkshire Police and other services.
Yet the chants of a few United fans during Saturday's win over Wigan at Old Trafford highlighted the potential for trouble.
Ferguson, who has already appealed for a line to be drawn in the sand
by supporters of both clubs, has offered Liverpool unqualified support.
"It is going to be a very emotional day on Sunday and we will support them in every way we can," said Ferguson.
"As a club we are totally supportive of Liverpool in the situation
they are in. We understand what those families must have felt when they
got that report.
"I didn't hear it (on Saturday), but others did, particularly in the
directors' box. (Chief executive) David Gill was disappointed."
Some fans have argued the chant heard on Saturday - "Always the
victim, never your fault" - was only sung in the immediate aftermath of
Luis Suarez's racism spat with Patrice Evra.
"It is a new chant that only started after the Suarez situation," said Ferguson.
"I was disappointed to hear it. It is a minority. But in society there is a minority wanting to be heard."
Ferguson's comments come on the eve of a report being released by MPs
stating football's authorities need to do more to tackle racism and
discrimination within the game.
The triggers for that investigation were the high-profile issues
involving Suarez and Evra, and also John Terry and Anton Ferdinand.
The latter case is yet to be fully resolved, with Terry due to face
the FA later this month after he was cleared of a criminal charge
earlier this year.
Ferdinand's refusal to shake Terry's hand at Loftus Road on Saturday confirms the matter continues to cast a stain on the game.
Suarez's failure to shake Evra's hand at Old Trafford last season
brings added tension to this weekend's fixture, with Ferguson insisting a
bad 12 months for the game should not be allowed to obscure the
positive work that has taken place.
"English football has been very good in challenging these issues," said Ferguson.
"Last year was a bad year for the sport but hopefully we get back to normal.
"I don't know what the report is going to say but until last year I don't think it has been an issue.
"I haven't seen anything for 20 years.
"One bad year doesn't cast the game in doubt as far as I am concerned.
"I am sure it will be brushed aside and we will go back to normal."
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