Robbie Folwer has said Liverpool's Luis Suárez and Manchester United's Patrice Evra should lay floral wreaths in tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster before the club's Premier League match on Sunday.
In what is the first fixture at Anfield since Liverpool fans were officially exonerated of any wrong-doing during the tragedy in 1989, plans for club captains Steven Gerrard and Nemanja Vidic to release 96 red balloons to symbolise the number of supporters who died have already been confirmed.
But Fowler has made the extraordinary suggestion that Suárez and Evra should be tasked with responsibility to capitalise on the emotion for other purposes.
Suárez and Evra could come face-to-face again on Sunday
"It would be nice for Luis Suárez to put some flowers at the United end regarding Munich, and for Patrice Evra to do so at the Kop," Fowler said.
"The two clubs do have a rivalry, but some things are far more important than football and this is one of them."
Twenty-three people, including eight of Matt Busby's famed 'Busby Babes' United side, died in the 1958 Munich air disaster. The tragedy has been mocked by Liverpool fans, amongst other fans, just as some sections of United's support have aired chants about Hillsborough.
Suárez was banned for eight matches and fined £40,000 for racially abusing Evra at Anfield last year, and then refused to shake the Frenchman's hand ahead of the reverse fixture in February.
Sandwiched between those two games Evra was roundly booed when he returned to Anfield for the fourth round FA Cup tie in January, a match which Suárez was unavailable for due to his suspension.
Fowler celebrates doubling Liverpool's lead in front of United fans in April 2001
Fowler made 369 appearances for Liverpool and also played for Leeds United and Manchester City - the three teams many United supporters consider to be the club's fiercest rivals.
The 37-year-old also enjoyed antagonising United supporters throughout his career, scoring nine times against Sir Alex Ferguson's side.
Fowler flashes four fingers at United fans in November 2004, six months before Liverpool won their fifth European Cup
His last goal against United - the clincher in a 3-1 Manchester derby win six-and-a-half-years ago - compelled him to flash five fingers in front of the Red Devils' travelling support, to signify the five European Cups Liverpool had won.
Fowler mocks United fans after sealing a Manchester derby win for City
Former England international Fowler's suggestion has been met with widespread disapproval, with many suggesting that forcing two players with a history of enmity would undermine the tribute.
Others have suggested it reflects an apology on Evra's behalf for speaking out against racism in football.