New 1985 Heysel Disaster memorial plans revealed for Anfield

New Heysel disaster memorial revealed for Anfield

54 minutes ago Share Save Marc Gaier & Jenny Coleman BBC News, Liverpool Share Save

LFC The new memorial will feature a Liverpool and Juventus scarf knotted together

Plans for a new memorial at Anfield to mark the 40th anniversary of the Heysel football stadium disaster have been revealed. Thirty-nine people died before the 1985 European Cup Final in Brussels after a group of Liverpool fans at Heysel Stadium charged towards a section housing mostly Juventus supporters, resulting in the collapse of a wall. The new memorial, the location of which has not yet been announced, will replace a memorial plaque in the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand. "The Heysel disaster is a significant chapter in our history, and one which we must never forget," said Liverpool's chief legal and external affairs officer Jonathan Bamber.

"It's important that we honour those who lost their lives with a memorial that reflects the depth of our respect and remembrance," added Mr Bamber. The disaster on 29 May 1985 resulted in all English clubs being banned from European competitions for five years. In addition to the 39 fans who died, 600 were injured when the wall collapsed on them. Blame for what happened was initially laid entirely on Liverpool fans, and 14 were later found guilty of manslaughter and jailed. An investigation did concede that some culpability lay with the Belgian authorities, and the crumbling state of Heysel Stadium.

Liverpool FC The plan for a new memorial was revealed at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium

Former Liverpool star and now club ambassador Ian Rush played in the game and witnessed the tragedy which preceded it. He said it was "incredibly important to have a fitting tribute to remember the 39 fans who lost their lives. "We must never forget why this matters, and why we continue to stand together in solidarity, all these years later." Liverpool said the new memorial will feature two scarves knotted together to symbolise "the unity and solidarity between the two clubs and the bond formed through shared grief and mutual respect in the aftermath of the disaster". It will also include the names of the disaster's victims. Further details of the new location and the official unveiling event at Anfield "will be released in due course," the club said.

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