Warrington, England – After 27 years, a jury concluded that police and emergency services were to blame for the death of the 96 Liverpool soccer fans during the 1989 Hillsborough stadium crush. In addition, the jury claimed there was not the deceased fault for the incident, which was qualified as the worst in sports history.

Juries concluded that the fans were ‘unlawful killed’, with 7 to 2 votes during the longest legal proceeding held in England. It was determined that police commanders had made mistakes in security issues that led to the fans being crushed and trampled to death, as reported by the New York Times.

As seen above, a picture of the Hillsborough incident over 27 years ago. The families and friends of victims of killed in the Hillsborough disaster applauded the court's decision after they concluded the 96 football fans had been unlawfully killed. Credit: Huffington Post
As seen above, a picture of the Hillsborough incident over 27 years ago. The families and friends of victims of killed in the Hillsborough disaster applauded the court’s decision after they concluded the 96 football fans had been unlawfully killed. Credit: Huffington Post

Family members of the deceased showed relief to finally, after all this years, being able to prove that the tragic deaths were not the victim`s fault, which were first blamed for the their own actions during the chaos.

“The conspiracy and lies which began on the 15th April 1989 and continued over the years involving police, politicians, and officials of high standing has been the most evil act of man’s inhumanity to man,” Karen Hankin, whose husband was among those killed, said during a news conference.

Relatives held a campaign over the last year defending the deceased fans, and after Tuesday’s verdict they chanted “Justice for the 96!” and sang the Liverpool soccer club’s anthem “You Will Never Walk Alone”, according to the Washington Post.

The 96 victims were suffocated to death during an F.A. Cup semifinal between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, after the security officials opened an exit gate in an effort to relieve congestion outside the stadium before the game.
During the decongestion, some of the victims resulted crushed against the steel fencing while others were trampled. The out-of-control situation in addition of the deaths, led more than 700 people injured. Fans killed were from ages 10 to 67, including 37 teenagers.

Not a criminal trial

The latest decision was to establish the facts related to the incident, and to conclude exactly whose fault was. Nonetheless, the legal proceeding does not confer civil damages or penalties for those who were referred as guilty for the incident.

However, with the clarification for the blame is being evaluated by the Crown Prosecution Service whether to press charges against the police officers involved and putting focus on David Duckenfield, who was in charge of security in the game. After the 1989 incident some things changed in the way people is allow to watch the games, for example, banks or terracing and metal fences were eliminated and replaced by modern, all-seated venues and improved security.

Source:New York Times