The banner, unfurled in the home end before kickoff on February 22, referenced the sensitive historical rivalry tied to the Hillsborough disaster—the 1989 tragedy where 97 Liverpool fans lost their lives during an FA Cup semi-final against Forest. While exact wording wasn’t universally confirmed in initial clips, Liverpool fans widely condemned it as provocative, disrespectful, and crossing into unacceptable territory regarding the memory of the 97 victims.
The fine—reportedly in the region of £25,000 (around $32,000 USD, though some circulating claims vary slightly)—stems from the Football Association (FA) or related disciplinary action for failing to prevent improper, offensive, or provocative supporter behavior under relevant rules (similar to breaches of FA Rule E21). The punishment aligns with precedents for fan misconduct involving banners or displays deemed abusive or insensitive.
Social media has erupted with Liverpool fans celebrating the news: “Finally some accountability—about time! 😤,” “Great start to the day, Reds 👏🔥,” and “Disrespect to the 97 doesn’t fly—fine them more!” Many see it as a step toward addressing long-standing issues around tragedy chanting and provocative gestures in fixtures with deep historical context. Forest had previously shown positive gestures (like their “No to Tragedy Chanting” banner at Anfield in 2023), making this incident feel like a setback to those reconciliation efforts.
The match itself ended in dramatic fashion: Liverpool secured a 1-0 win thanks to Alexis Mac Allister’s 97th-minute winner after an earlier effort was controversially disallowed by VAR (sparking its own backlash). But for many Reds, the pre-kickoff banner overshadowed the build-up, turning the atmosphere toxic from the start.
Nottingham Forest have not issued an official comment on the reported fine yet, though the club has historically reminded supporters against tragedy-related chanting. The FA’s disciplinary process often follows such incidents with clubs held responsible for fan actions inside stadiums.
Liverpool fans are loving this development—viewing it as validation of their outrage and a rare win off the pitch amid ongoing debates over respect, accountability, and fan conduct in English football. Whether it leads to stricter measures or club apologies remains to be seen, but today’s news has Reds smiling: justice served, even if just a fine.
