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Football world rallies around Liverpool after tragedy

Clubs, legends and global bodies express solidarity after van crashes into crowd

A.K.S. Satish (Sports Editor)

2 MIN READ

Members of the emergency services are pictured on the scene of the crash in Water Street, on the sidelines of an open-top bus victory parade for Liverpool's Premier League title win on Monday..

AFP

Dubai: Shock turned to solidarity on Tuesday as the football world responded with an outpouring of support following the horrific crash that marred Liverpool’s Premier League title parade. Clubs, legends and global bodies united in grief after a van ploughed into a crowd of jubilant fans, leaving dozens injured and the city reeling. Messages flooded in from across the footballing spectrum — from fierce rivals to former players — all echoing one sentiment: this celebration should never have ended in tragedy.

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More than 45 people were injured in the incident on Monday, including at least four children, after a 53-year-old British man drove a grey minivan into the densely packed crowd shortly after Liverpool’s open-top bus had passed. Police confirmed the driver acted alone and ruled out terrorism as a motive. The man remains in custody.

Emergency services rushed to the scene in torrential rain. Twenty-seven people were hospitalised, two with serious injuries, while others were treated for minor wounds at the roadside. Eyewitnesses described panic and chaos as the van struck fans dressed in Liverpool colours, pushing several along the street before coming to a halt. Social media videos showed bystanders confronting the driver and smashing the van’s windows while police tried to regain control.

Manchester giants share support

Liverpool FC were among the first to respond. “Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this serious incident,” the club posted on X. That message was soon echoed by their fiercest rivals.

Manchester United wrote: “Our thoughts are with LFC and the city of Liverpool after today’s awful incident.” Everton added: “Our thoughts are with all those who have been affected by this serious incident in our city.” Manchester City, last season’s champions, also shared their support: “The thoughts of everyone at Manchester City are with those injured or affected.”

FIFA president Gianni Infantino offered his condolences in a statement: “Football stands together with Liverpool FC and all fans of the club following the horrific incident that has taken place during the trophy parade in the city.”

Liverpool greats Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher both shared messages of support. Gerrard posted a red heart over an image of the city on Instagram, while Carragher wrote on X: “Devastating end to the day... just pray everyone is ok.”

The Premier League, which had been celebrating Liverpool’s first title in four years, said it was “shocked by the appalling events” and had contacted the club to offer full support.

Community united

What was meant to be a joyous end to Liverpool’s triumphant season was instead a day scarred by tragedy. Yet in the aftermath, the unity shown by the football world — from historic rivals to governing bodies — has offered a powerful reminder of the sport’s strength in times of crisis. As investigations continue and the city begins to heal, the message is clear: Liverpool won more than a trophy — it won the respect and solidarity of the global football family.

Sports Editor

From playing on the pitch to analysing it from the press box, Satish has spent over three decades living and breathing sport. A cricketer-turned-journalist, he has covered three Cricket World Cups, the 2025 Champions Trophy, countless IPL seasons, F1 races, horse racing classics, and tennis in Dubai. Cricket is his home ground, but he sees himself as an all-rounder - breaking stories, building pages, going live on podcasts, and interviewing legends across every corner of the sporting world. Satish started on the back pages, and earned his way to the front, now leading the sports team at Gulf News, where he has spent 25 years navigating the fast-evolving game of journalism. Whether it’s a Super-Over thriller or a behind-the-scenes story, he aims to bring insight, energy, and a fan’s heart to every piece. Because like sport, journalism is about showing up, learning every day, and giving it everything.

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