Two men have been sentenced for tragedy chanting in connection with fixtures between Manchester United and Liverpool this year. Both Tommy Jobling and Harry Thorley have been punished for their actions towards Liverpool fans, referring to disasters involving the Merseyside club in the past. Jobling, of Whitby, North Yorkshire, distributed offensive messages and videos through WhatsApp to a Liverpool fan that he knew from online gaming when the teams played at Old Trafford in March 2024.
The 22-year-old's messages referred to the Hillsborough disaster in an offensive manner, and he was charged with malicious communications, which he pleaded guilty to. At Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court on Friday, September 20, Jobling was handed a 12-month community order, 20 rehabilitation days and 80 hours of unpaid work. He was also made to pay a fine, costs and victim surcharge which totalled £319.
Meanwhile, Thorley, of Crewe, Cheshire, was found to have been tragedy chanting outside the away turnstiles at Old Trafford 45 minutes before kick-off when the side met on September 1. The 19-year-old was spotted doing a physical gesture before chanting, with the context of his comments referring to the Heysel Stadium disaster. Thorley was arrested at the ground and admitted to the offence in custody.
On Monday (September 23), he appeared at Manchester and Salford Magistrates' Court, where he pleaded guilty to using threatening abusive, insulting words or behaviour. He was issued a th.
