(foto: Posnetek zaslona)
A small group of Manchester United fans sparked outrage with chants about the late Diogo Jota, while the majority of the stadium paid a respectful tribute.
Manchester United’s dramatic 3-2 win over Liverpool was overshadowed by disturbing scenes before kickoff, involving chants about the late Diogo Jota.
A small group of United supporters sang offensive songs on their way to Old Trafford, targeting the former Liverpool forward, who died in a tragic car accident in Spain alongside his brother André.
Videos spread quickly across social media, capturing chants that mocked Jota’s death. The reaction was immediate and strong across the football world.
Inside the stadium, the tone shifted completely. In the 20th minute, a moment linked to Jota’s shirt number, fans from both clubs joined in applause to honour his memory.
The contrast stood out. While a minority caused outrage, the majority of supporters showed respect and unity during the tribute.
Many Manchester United fans publicly distanced themselves from the incident. Calls grew for the club to identify those involved and issue bans.
So far, Manchester United have not released an official statement.
The situation carries extra weight due to football’s history of solidarity. In 2022, Liverpool fans sang "You’ll Never Walk Alone" in support of Cristiano Ronaldo after the loss of his newborn son.
There were also respectful gestures before this match. Representatives from both clubs laid flowers in memory of Jota, showing the shared sense of loss.
Those efforts, however, were partly overshadowed by the actions of a few individuals, whose behavior drew widespread condemnation.