FA chairman David Bernstein. File photo. Nick Potts/PA Archive/Press Association Images
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FA apologises -- eventually -- for part in Hillsborough tragedy
“I offer a full and unreserved apology and express sincere condolences to all of the families of those who lost their lives and to everyone connected to the city of Liverpool.”
THE ENGLISH FOOTBALL Association apologised today to the city of Liverpool and the families of 96 fans who died in the Hillsborough stadium tragedy in 1989.
Nearly 800 others were injured when police officers herded about 2,000 Liverpool fans into caged-in enclosures that were already full.
The report said crowd-safety dangers at the stadium were well known and “foreseeable,” and Sheffield Wednesday’s “primary consideration was cost” rather than safety.
“We are deeply sorry this tragedy occurred at a venue the FA selected,” FA chairman David Bernstein said. “This fixture was played in the FA’s own competition, and on behalf of the Football Association I offer a full and unreserved apology and express sincere condolences to all of the families of those who lost their lives and to everyone connected to the city of Liverpool and Liverpool Football Club.”
Bernstein wasn’t in his current FA post when the tragedy occurred 23 years ago. He praised the tireless commitment shown by the families of the victims who refused to accept the findings of the original inquest into the tragedy.
“This should never have happened. Nobody should lose their lives when setting out to attend a football match,” Bernstein said, “and it is a matter of extreme regret and sadness that it has taken so long for these findings to be published and the truth to be told.
“For 23 years, the families have suffered unbearable pain and we have profound sympathy for them … The FA and English football has changed immeasurably, and learned many lessons in the last 23 years.”
Sheffield Wednesday officials have apologised to the families of the 96 fans who were killed, saying it hopes the release of the documents by the panel “goes some way to providing the closure sought by all those involved.”
FA apologises -- eventually -- for part in Hillsborough tragedy
THE ENGLISH FOOTBALL Association apologised today to the city of Liverpool and the families of 96 fans who died in the Hillsborough stadium tragedy in 1989.
Secret papers disclosed yesterday from an independent panel said Hillsborough, the home of Sheffield Wednesday, didn’t have a valid safety certificate when it hosted the fateful FA Cup semifinal between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
Nearly 800 others were injured when police officers herded about 2,000 Liverpool fans into caged-in enclosures that were already full.
The report said crowd-safety dangers at the stadium were well known and “foreseeable,” and Sheffield Wednesday’s “primary consideration was cost” rather than safety.
Bernstein wasn’t in his current FA post when the tragedy occurred 23 years ago. He praised the tireless commitment shown by the families of the victims who refused to accept the findings of the original inquest into the tragedy.
“This should never have happened. Nobody should lose their lives when setting out to attend a football match,” Bernstein said, “and it is a matter of extreme regret and sadness that it has taken so long for these findings to be published and the truth to be told.
“For 23 years, the families have suffered unbearable pain and we have profound sympathy for them … The FA and English football has changed immeasurably, and learned many lessons in the last 23 years.”
Earlier, the FA released a statement praising the report, without accepting responsibility, prompting campaigners to demand an apology.
Sheffield Wednesday officials have apologised to the families of the 96 fans who were killed, saying it hopes the release of the documents by the panel “goes some way to providing the closure sought by all those involved.”
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