Greater Manchester Police charge man after tragedy chanting incident during Man Utd v Burnley game

A man has been charged with tragedy chanting after being filmed in the away end during Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Burnley at Old Trafford.

Footage circulated on social media on Saturday evening of a fan in the away end celebrating Zeki Amdouni’s late equaliser by appearing to mock the Munich air disaster. Burnley branded the act “completely unacceptable” and Greater Manchester Police have now confirmed Nathan Rawlinson, 44, from Bacup, has been charged in relation to the incident.

Greater Manchester Police statement

“We can confirm that we have charged Nathan Rawlinson (25/08/1979) of Bacup, Lancashire with Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 and has since been bailed.

“This charge is after our Specialist Operational football investigation team made an arrest of a man in the away section of the Old Trafford crowd who was tragedy chanting yesterday (Saturday 27 April 2024) towards the end of the Manchester United v Burnley fixture. As we have enforced recently, continued incidents of tragedy chanting by anyone will not be tolerated and will be dealt with robustly.

“We understand the interest this case will have generated but it is imperative that the suspect has a fair trial so members of the public must refrain from engaging in conversations online, at least until proceedings have concluded. Previously circulated videos should be removed.”

Burnley FC statement on Munich tragedy chanting

In a statement on Saturday night, the Clarets said: “We are aware of offensive footage currently circulating on social media from the away end of today’s fixture at Old Trafford,” the Clarets said in a statement. “Tragedy related gesturing and chanting is completely unacceptable and Burnley Football Club take a zero-tolerance approach. “We will continue to work with Greater Manchester Police, Lancashire Police and Manchester United to help identify and prosecute the individuals responsible.”

Munich Air Disaster

The plane crash on February 6, 1958, claimed the lives of eight Busby Babes and three Old Trafford staff. Eight sports journalists also lost their lives when United's chartered plane crashed on take-off in terrible weather at Munich-Riem Airport following a European Cup tie in Belgrade against Red Star. In total 23 people died in the tragic incident.

Only earlier this month an Everton fan was convicted for a similar offence following the Toffees’ game at Old Trafford in March. Mark Finnigan was subsequently handed a three-year football banning order which prevents him from attending games.