'Idiots' mar Reds trip

Thai Liverpool fans have been criticised for a vicious taunt against Manchester United and their newly retired manager Sir Alex Ferguson, marring an otherwise memorable trip to the country by the Merseyside club.

Five-time European champions Liverpool’s first visit to the country since 2009 was heading for a perfect end after Brendan Rodgers’ side completed their Asian pre-season tour with a 3-0 win over Thailand’s under-23 team, until a startling act by individuals many have condemned as “idiots”

The group of fans displayed a banner which read, “Alex Ferguson Out Working Go To The Hell” during Sunday’s match at Rajamangala National Stadium. More shocking, though, was the mention made in the banner of the 1958 Munich tragedy when a plane carrying the United squad crashed just after take-off from Munich airport, killing eight of the “Busby Babes” team and 23 people in total.

Many have called the fans’ actions shameful and are struggling to comprehend the thinking of those who made the gesture. Despite the long-standing animosity between England’s two most successful football clubs, the banner has been labelled unjustifiable, with former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore calling fans who stoop to such levels “wankers”.

“Munich, Hillsborough, Shankly etc. If you make banners or sing songs about them, you’re a wanker. End of the story,” Collymore tweeted in reference to the incident.

The 42-year-old Englishman, who played for Liverpool between 1995 and 1997, added, “As for disrespectful banners, idiots whoever they ‘support’. Glorifying death is never clever, just plain stupid.”

Twitter user “LFC Flags and Banners” denounced the act, calling the perpetrators “fake” Liverpool fans with a tweet that read, “Absolutely shocking & embarrassing banner by some fake so called Liverpool fans. Probably never even been to the UK!”

Other Thai fans took to popular message board pantip.com to lash an act many called “disgraceful”. 

“It’s unbelievable that there are people who do such a disgusting thing without thinking first,” read one comment. Another fan posted “Just garbage among a group of supporters.”

Unfortunately, the incident blotted what was otherwise a memorable four-day Bangkok trip for the Merseyside club, during which Anfield players and staff were impressed by the outpouring of support from local fans.

Though Reds manager Rodgers was heartened by his side’s encouraging performance in the 3-0 victory over Thailand, which completed a hat-trick on the tour following wins in Indonesia and Melbourne, it was the passion of supporters that dominated the Northern Irishman’s post-match talk. 

“We are in a good moment at this stage. It was another step up in our fitness level and our football fitness against a side who played the game tactically really well.

“It’s been incredible. Throughout this tour I’ll take this with me – even though we’ll be miles away back home the people in these three countries will always be in our hearts. 

“On behalf of everyone at the football club, I just want to say to all the people in Thailand, thank you for your welcome. Keep supporting the greatest football family in the world,” said Rodgers, who led Liverpool to a seventh-place league finish in his first season in charge of the team last term. 

Former Reds midfielder Dietmar Hamann also tweeted his impression of the Thai fans: “Thanks to all the LFC fans in Thailand for the warm welcome and tremendous support you gave the team over the last few days.”

Danish international Daniel Agger, a poster boy of the club’s tour judging by the cheers he received from female fans, added his voice of appreciation.

“I really can’t believe the number of Agger shirts and banners I have seen, and every single one of them makes me so proud. Thankyou Asia!!” tweeted the Danish player.