Liverpool fans have been finally ‘exonerated’, club declares

Liverpool yesterday said their fans had been completely exonerated by the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report into the 1989 disaster.

The panel revealed South Yorkshire police had sought to blame fans by instructing officers to change or amend their statements relating to the events of April 15, 1989, when 96 Liverpool fans died.

British Prime Minister David Cameron apologised to the families of those affected, stressing to the House of Commons that the findings had shown fans were not at fault.

A club statement said: “Liverpool commends the Hillsborough Independent Panel report which acknowledges the avoidable catastrophic failures before, during and after the disaster.

“The club also welcomes the prime minister’s apology to the families and survivors on behalf of the government and await the attorney general’s pending review of the report.

“After 23 long and painful years, our fans have finally been fully exonerated of all blame.

“Today, the world knows what we have always known, that Liverpool fans were not just innocent on that terrible day but that there was reprehensible and hurtful misrepresentation of the truth.”

Liverpool chairman Tom Werner added that “the world has heard the real truth” about the Hillsborough disaster.

Werner said: “We hope today’s findings will give some comfort to the families and survivors and go some way to addressing some of the key questions that have hung over the Hillsborough tragedy for the last 23 years.”

Managing director Ian Ayre admitted he was pleased the myth about fans’ alleged involvement in causing the disaster were debunked once and for all.

He said: “[David Cameron] used the phrase ‘double injustice’. Not only for the fact these people died unnecessarily, but the fact a process ensued and dragged their names through the mud.”

Ayre said it was, however, a day of mixed emotions for the families of the 96 and everyone involved with the club.

“Firstly [there is] sadness,” he said. “Sadness that this whole tragedy was avoidable, and that even when it happened more could have been done to save lives,” he said.

“Secondly, anger. Anger at the cover-up we now see, and knowing that our fans, the families and victims have been unnecessarily troubled for 23 years because of that.

“And thirdly, pride — because I think anyone connected to Liverpool Football Club can be proud, proud at what the families, our fans around the world and fans of other football clubs have contributed to what we have achieved today.”

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, whose 10-year-old cousin Jon-Paul Gilhooley was among the Hillsborough dead, also added his voice to those welcoming the findings of the report.

“The courage and dignity shown by the Hillsborough families and survivors is an example to all of us,” Gerrard said.

“Speaking as someone whose family directly suffered, I know the pain and hurt will remain.

“However, I hope that today’s report helps bring some comfort, now that everyone knows what happened on that day.”