I have been reading a very good article on the Hillsborough Disaster and the search for justice for the 96 Liverpool fans who tragically lost their lives that day. The article in full can be found here.
Here is a brief explanation of the tragic events that unfolded that day:
On 15th April 1989 an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was to be played at a neutral ground, Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough.
Liverpool, despite having far more fans than Forest, were allocated 4,000 fewer tickets and the smaller Leppings Lane stand. Its official capacity was well above what could safely be contained, even before the police forced more in.
Inside the ground, as was common at the time, the terraces had sturdy ten foot fences at the front, caging in fans. With ten minutes to go before kick-off, there was already a crush on the Liverpool terraces and a lot more fans outside the ground.
Panicking in the short time before kick-off with so many fans still outside, the police didn’t delay the start of the match and see people in safely. Instead, they opened an exit gate and allowed the fans to pour in.
Alleviating a supposed crush by forcing the crowd into a far more crowded area fronted by tall strong cages was only going to lead to one thing. Hundreds of people were injured, 96 were killed.
See also the Hillsborough Justice Campaign website
The article covers in depth the police incompetence, the attempt at a cover up and lying and blaming it on non-existent hooliganism, the lies printed by The Sun newspaper and the on-going boycott on Mersyeside and the lack of any prosecution of anyone that caused the disaster is also mentioned.
The Liverpool fans forum IrishKop.com will remain closed for today, as a mark of respect. This image is displayed on their homepage:
Justice for the 96