Supporters of Liverpool F.C. reacted furiously ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash at the City Ground on February 22, 2026, after a sizeable banner unveiled in the home end by Nottingham Forest fans was widely viewed as inflammatory and deeply disrespectful.
Displayed during the pre-match build-up and picked up by television cameras and supporters’ phones, the banner appeared to reference the long-standing rivalry linked to the Hillsborough disaster — the 1989 FA Cup semi-final tragedy in which 97 Liverpool supporters lost their lives in a crush. Although wording reported in circulating clips differed slightly, many Reds fans interpreted the message as mocking or alluding to the disaster. They condemned it as crossing a moral line and showing a lack of sensitivity toward the victims and their families.
Online reaction was swift and scathing. Posts described the display as “shameful,” “disgraceful,” and “beyond banter,” with some questioning how it was permitted inside the stadium given continued efforts to eradicate tragedy-related chanting. The incident struck an especially sour note for some, considering Forest’s previous gestures promoting respect — including a widely praised “Respect the 97” banner shown at Anfield in 2023.
The controversy quickly overshadowed the match itself, shifting focus from the fixture to renewed debate over fan conduct, historic sensitivities, and enforcement of FA and league guidelines designed to curb offensive behaviour. Neutral observers and even some rival supporters joined calls for stronger preventative measures to stop similar incidents escalating in emotionally charged fixtures.
