Sunderland fly flags at half mast

Flags at Sunderland’s Stadium of Light will fly at half-mast today as a mark of respect to those who died at Hillsborough.

The Black Cats host Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League this evening at the end of a week during which a damning independent report into the tragedy was published.

Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne said: “We recognise and respect the significance of this week for fans and our friends and colleagues at Liverpool Football Club.

“The Hillsborough tragedy had a profound effect on football as a whole and the thoughts of everyone at Sunderland are with all of those affected by the tragic events of April 15, 1989.”