In recent years, football stadiums have been plagued by a disturbing trend known as ‘tragedy chanting’. This involves fans chanting hateful slurs about tragedies such as Hillsborough, the Munich air disaster, and other disasters in football. The impact of these chants on survivors of these tragedies is immense and can have a lasting effect on their mental health.
Hillsborough survivors have spoken out about the psychological impact of hearing these chants. One survivor, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: “It’s like a punch in the stomach. It’s like reliving the trauma all over again.” Another survivor said: “It’s like a slap in the face. It’s like they’re trying to rub salt in the wound.”
The psychological effects of tragedy chanting are far-reaching and can cause survivors to feel isolated, anxious, and depressed. The chants can also trigger flashbacks and nightmares, as well as feelings of anger and helplessness.
The issue of tragedy chanting has been highlighted by prominent figures in football, such as Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and Ajax manager Erik ten Hag. Both have called for an end to the chants, with Klopp saying: “It’s not acceptable. We should all be united against it.”
The issue of tragedy chanting is a complex one, and it is clear that more needs to be done to tackle it. Education is key, and it is important that fans are made aware of the impact their words can have on survivors of these tragedies. It is also important that clubs take a zero-tolerance approach to any form of discrimination or hateful language in their stadiums.
Ultimately, it is up to all of us to ensure that tragedy chanting is stamped out of football for good. We must all work together to ensure that survivors of these tragedies are not subjected to further distress and suffering. Only then can we create a safe and welcoming environment for all football fans.