Dortmund fans have shown that supporters can unite with fans of another club to the benefit of the sport, and in the past Liverpool, Everton, Sunderland and Chelsea have done the same.
A Dortmund fan wears a shirt in support of Dortmund’s Marc Bartra before the match
The BBC reported that fans of Borussia Dortmund took to Twitter on Tuesday to help Monaco fans find accommodation for the night following the postponement of their Champion’s League tie.
The quarter-final tie was postponed until Wednesday following an explosion near the Dortmund team bus.
In light of this wonderful gesture by the German supporters, we look at other occasions where football fans have united for a good cause.
April 2016 – Merseyside derby Hillsborough tribute
Tributes in memory of the Hillsborough disaster victims
Everton and Liverpool fans paid tribute ahead of their Merseyside derby to show support for the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster
The Daily Mail reported that nine members of the victims’ families walked onto the pitch ahead of the derby clash to a standing ovation from the Everton supporters, while the Toffee’s programme notes made reference in support of the victims’ families.
Other Premier League clubs also joined in supporting the Liverpool fans that lost their lives, playing the Liverpool anthem ahead of their own fixtures.
January 2017 – Liverpool fans pay respect to Plymouth fans’ son
Liverpool fans hold up a banner in memory of Daniel May
Plymouth fan Kevin May lost his son while watching the FA Cup draw with Liverpool at Anfield in January, where he was consoled by an employee of the Merseyside club and a police officer, reported The Mirror.
In the replay that followed, Liverpool fans made a touching tribute to the son of May, unfurling a banner on the 25th minute that read ‘RIP Daniel May – You’ll Never Walk Alone’ while standing to applaud him.
December 2016 – Sunderland and Chelsea show support for Bradley Lowery
Sunderland’s Jermain Defoe with Bradley Lowery before the match
Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery, who is battling cancer, lead the Black Cats out onto the pitch with his hero Jermaine Defoe for their game against Chelsea.
The Chronicle reported that Chelsea players signed a shirt for the five-year-old, while also allowing him to take a penalty against goalkeeper Asmir Begovic ahead of the game.
Both sets of fans united in a heart-warming show of support for Bradley, rising during the 5th minute of the tie to sing ‘There is only one Bradley Lowery’.
Football fans may experience bitter rivalries across the globe, but like the stories above, they can come together as one when it matters most.
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