An apology is long overdue
I can't feel that sorry for Liverpool FC or its fans after last night's loss. The Heysel stadium riot took place 27 years ago, when Liverpool fans charged Juventus fans, causing a crush and the death of 39 people. As a result of the Liverpool fans' behaviour, all English clubs were indefinitely banned from European football, a ban which was only lifted after five years (and eight years for Liverpool).
Not once in those 27 years has Liverpool apologised to those English teams which missed out on European competition. Not once. So my sadness at Liverpool's loss is, to say the least, mild.
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Craig, Liverpool
May 24th, 2007 10:44amEverton were particularly badly done by. They were twiceunable to compete in the European Cup, a competition which, given the team at the time, they could have won. Everton fans and players had committed no crime but were punished for the atrocity committed by Liverpool supporters.
Tim Worstall
May 24th, 2007 2:19pm"Not once in those 27 years has Liverpool apologised to those English teams which missed out on European competition."
Who should apologise? The inhabitants of the City of Liverpool? The current board of directors of Liverpool football club? Fans of Liverpool FC?
The actual thugs who rioted?
Only the latter have even the possibility of apologising, as the are the only ones who carry any responsibility.
As, when we're talking about the slave trade and such things, everyone recognizes.
Philip Davies
May 24th, 2007 11:51pmA few facts wrong here: The Heysel Stadium disaster was in 1985 - 22 years ago and not 27. The English clubs were banned for 5 years and Liverpool originally 3 additional years, though only one additional one was served. Another notable issue was that an inquiry was not held unlike there was for Hillsborough and Liverpool took all the blame despite the obvious issues over the suitability of the stadium to host the match. I agree with Craig in that Everton missed out on two good chances to win the European Cup, especially in 1985/6 when Gary Lineker spent his only season at the club.
Mike
May 25th, 2007 1:21amThe hardest done-by of all was Crystal Palace. They were banned in their two season of qualifying and then disappeared, unable to maintain their position or hold onto Ian Wright and pals...