A regional daily is demanding European football’s governing body takes action against a club whose fans chanted “Murderers” at supporters.

The Liverpool Echo is seeking an explanation from UEFA “as a matter of urgency” over the organisation’s failure to charge Manchester United over the chants, which were directed by a minority of the club’s supporters towards Liverpool FC fans during the two sides’ Europa League match on Thursday evening.

The “Murderers” chant is believed to be a reference to either the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, in which a terrace crush claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool supporters, or the Heysel Stadium disaster, in which 39 mainly Italian spectators were killed when a wall collapsed at the 1985 European Cup final following a charge by Liverpool hooligans.

Liverpool supporters travelling into Manchester on Thursday were also greeted by a banner bearing the slogan hanging from a motorway bridge, pictured below, accompanied by ’15-4-89′ – the date of the Hillsborough disaster.

Liverpool FC have, however, been charged by UEFA over offensive singing by their supporters at the match, held at United’s Old Trafford stadium, with chants of “Munich” being directed by a minority of away fans towards the home support.

“Munich” refers to the 1958 Munich air disaster, which claimed the lives of eight United players and three of the club’s staff.

A comment piece by Echo sports editor David Prentice said UEFA had “effectively condoned” the United fans’ taunts.

Said David: “Why is a ‘Munich’ chant considered ‘illicit’ and ‘Murderers’ not? An explanation from UEFA is required – and we will be seeking one as a matter of urgency.”

He wrote in Friday’s paper:  “Two words beginning with M. Two words which, in the context of a football match, are appalling and offensive. And two words which evoke the same sense of revulsion and anger when they are used to goad rivals. Yet two words which UEFA appear to treat very differently.

“Chanting ‘Munich’ during last night’s Europa League second leg has seen Liverpool fans charged with ‘illicit chanting’ by European football’s govering body. Chanting ‘Murderers’ by Manchester United supporters has been ignored.

“Manchester United quickly and correctly condemned last week’s vile chanting by some of their supporters at Anfield. UEFA, however, did not. Even worse, their refusal to take punitive action effectively condoned last night’s repeats.

“Whether it’s in reference to Heysel or Hillsborough, mocking deaths at football grounds is appalling, obscene and deeply upsetting. And UEFA have ignored an opportunity to stop these chants at source.”

UEFA has charged United with “blocked stairways, crowd disturbances and throwing objects”, while Liverpool have been charged with “illicit chants, fireworks, throwing objects and late kick-off.”