Hoping the city cathedral bell will toll 39 times on the 29th May to show support for others who went to a game and never came home. Solidarity.
Heysel is an uncomfortable truth & who knows to what degree it played a part in the authorities mindset at Hillsborough...(?)
Yes, it does get virtually overlooked in comparison to Hillsborough, I am sure that a large aspect of that results from a collective sense of guilt & shame...!
But there are also two other major factors, relating to the significant differences in approach of the investigations that followed, which meant that one has been a massive news item for 30 years, while the other has quietly been forgotten, at least in the UK.
- The truth about Hillsborough took years to become officially recognised. There was a despicable cover-up which permeated throughout proceedings & included complicity by the Police & Press, combined with institutional indifference by the UK political & legal establishments who allowed it to drag on.
- In contrast, the Belgium authorities conducted a brilliant (and remarkably swift) investigation & did not flinch from putting on trial - in addition to Liverpool fans - members of the Police & Belgium FA. It resulted in a sense of justice & closure that has STILL not been fully attained over Hillsborough.
Actually, I think our own FA - who were ultimately responsible for a semifinal in their own cup competition & selected the venue, presumably after a due-diligence process(?) - have always got off lightly.
The same point could also be made about Eufa, as the LFC CEO had formally requested they move the match from Heysel weeks before the tragic events. Part of his concern was that - the preceding year - LFC fans had been attacked by Italian fans, after their European Cup final win over Roma, which had been staged - rather surprisingly - at Roma's home stadium...!
Hoping the city cathedral bell will toll 39 times on the 29th May to show support for others who went to a game and never came home. Solidarity.
Heysel is an uncomfortable truth & who knows to what degree it played a part in the authorities mindset at Hillsborough...(?)
Yes, it does get virtually overlooked in comparison to Hillsborough, I am sure that a large aspect of that results from a collective sense of guilt & shame...!
But there are also two other major factors, relating to the significant differences in approach of the investigations that followed, which meant that one has been a massive news item for 30 years, while the other has quietly been forgotten, at least in the UK.
- The truth about Hillsborough took years to become officially recognised. There was a despicable cover-up which permeated throughout proceedings & included complicity by the Police & Press, combined with institutional indifference by the UK political & legal establishments who allowed it to drag on.
- In contrast, the Belgium authorities conducted a brilliant (and remarkably swift) investigation & did not flinch from putting on trial - in addition to Liverpool fans - members of the Police & Belgium FA. It resulted in a sense of justice & closure that has STILL not been fully attained over Hillsborough.
Actually, I think our own FA - who were ultimately responsible for a semifinal in their own cup competition & selected the venue, presumably after a due-diligence process(?) - have always got off lightly.
The same point could also be made about Eufa, as the LFC CEO had formally requested they move the match from Heysel weeks before the tragic events. Part of his concern was that - the preceding year - LFC fans had been attacked by Italian fans, after their European Cup final win over Roma, which had been staged - rather surprisingly - at Roma's home stadium...! Mmm,an interesting response which somewhat misses the point i was trying to make about a lack of empathy and compassion shown by a club who's fans were directly responsible for one of the worst tragedies to befall a sporting event.I will take you up on one point though....the venue for the final is usually decided before the competition begins,so how were UEFA to know who would contest the final.The same fate befell Chelsea on their glorious night in Munich not too long ago and i am sure had happened before if the annals of history were to be scoured.EVERY fan who lost their life be it at Bradford,Ibrox,Heysel and Hillsborough were all truly innocent and should be remembered with equal respect.That is the point i was trying to make however you obviously took it as something it was not.We both know somebody who was at Heysel and i'm sure you heard the same account i did.
Mmm,an interesting response which somewhat misses the point i was trying to make about a lack of empathy and compassion shown by a club who's fans were directly responsible for one of the worst tragedies to befall a sporting event.I will take you up on one point though....the venue for the final is usually decided before the competition begins,so how were UEFA to know who would contest the final.The same fate befell Chelsea on their glorious night in Munich not too long ago and i am sure had happened before if the annals of history were to be scoured.EVERY fan who lost their life be it at Bradford,Ibrox,Heysel and Hillsborough were all truly innocent and should be remembered with equal respect. That is the point i was trying to make however you obviously took it as something it was not. We both know somebody who was at Heysel and i'm sure you heard the same account i did.
I totally agree with you & feel a bit contrite if i inadvertently created a different impression. My central point was why one tragedy has remained in the public consciousness for all this time, while the other has become a postscript.
The Belgium investigation was undertaken objectively, to the extent that a local Police Chief was amongst those found guilty. If the UK one had exercised their authority with similar probity, than maybe the two events would now be regarded more proportionately.
There was serious violence - in which LFC fans were clearly the victims - following the 84 final, it is a moot point as to what degree the choice of venue added to it... Other Italian grounds were available, but initial signs were positive as they had won the same trophy in Rome 7 years earlier - beating a German side - on a famously good-natured occasion.
The Belgium Police should have treated the prospect of revenge more seriously the following year, we both know from 1st hand reports that they didn't, until it was too late.
This in no way places blame on the innocent or excuses the guilty. Yes, the people of Liverpool have a complicated relationship with Heysel & should be more demonstrably magnanimous given their own history.