April 15th this year marked the 32nd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, a tragedy in which 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives at a football match in Sheffield. The disaster, which occurred on April 15th 1989, was one of the worst in British sporting history, and it is a day that is remembered across the country with sadness.
The Hillsborough Disaster
The Hillsborough disaster occurred during an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield. Due to overcrowding on the terraces, the gates were opened and fans were allowed to enter the stadium without tickets. This led to a crush of people at the Leppings Lane end of the stadium, and 96 people were killed in the ensuing chaos.
The Families' Fight For Justice
The families of those who died in the disaster have fought tirelessly for justice over the past 32 years. In 2016, an inquest found that the 96 people who died at Hillsborough were unlawfully killed and that the police had failed to take reasonable steps to prevent their deaths. The inquest also found that the fans were not to blame for the disaster, contrary to the initial reports.
The Legacy Of Hillsborough
The Hillsborough disaster and its subsequent inquest has changed the way that football is policed in the UK, with stricter rules and regulations in place to ensure the safety of fans. The tragedy has also been remembered in the form of memorials, such as the Hillsborough Memorial in Anfield, which was unveiled in 2017. The names of the 96 people who died are engraved into the memorial.
Honouring The Innocents Lost
Every year, on April 15th, the anniversary of the disaster is marked by a period of reflection and remembrance. This year, in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, the traditional memorial service at Anfield was moved online. The service was live-streamed on the Liverpool FC website and included speeches from family members of those who died in the disaster, music, and a minute’s silence.
The Hillsborough disaster is a tragedy that will never be forgotten. The 96 people who lost their lives that day remain in the hearts and minds of the British public, and their memory will continue to be honoured for years to come.
