Hillsborough Report Blames Police in Disaster

Earlier this week the Hillsborough Independent Panel released their report on the 1989 disaster that lead to the deaths of 96 Liverpool supporters.  The panel, headed by James Jones, the Bishop of Liverpool, reviewed thousands of secret documents from over 80 different organizations related to the disaster.  These documents had been available to families of the 96 at Liverpool Cathedral, and are now being made public along with the findings.

At the heart of the matter is the question over how much, if any, responsibility was to be borne by the local police in the incident.  Police herded over 2,000 Liverpool fans into overflowing standing room only sections in Sheffield, England, on April 15, 1989.  Ninety-Six fans were trampled or suffocated to death as the emergency unfolded at an FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. 

According to the panel, Police tried to coverup their culpability by blaming Liverpool fans. The report also confirms that potentially life saving medical attention was denied to some of the injured fans.  This has resulted in several public apologies in the UK, including high profile ones from the Football Association and British Prime Minister David Cameron.  Also, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and Manchester United's Sir Alex Ferguson have called for football fans throughout England to end the tasteless taunting chants about the both the Hillsborough disaster and the Munich Air Disaster, which killed members of Manchester United's team and staff and on February 6, 1958.

An inquest in 1991 ruled the deaths accidental, but families of the 96 are hoping that the findings of this panel will result in some legal action being taken.  No individual or organization has been held fully accountable. Prime Minster Cameron has said the report will be handed over to Attorney General Dominic Grieve, and that the Court will have the final say as to whether charges will be brought at this time.

More information about the report and it's findings can be found here, on the official UK site.