Liverpool Football Club has this afternoon released a statement after a former Sheffield Wednesday secretary was found guilty of failing to discharge his duty on the day of the Hillsborough disaster, where 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death.
Graham Mackrell, who in 1989 was the Yorkshire club's safety officer, had been accused of not taking reasonable care to quell the build-up of large crowds in confined areas of the stadium with the court hearing that over 10,000 Reds supporters with standing tickets for the Leppings Lane end were to be ushered through seven turnstiles.
A defence team for the 69-year-old had argued that the build-up of such a crowd had been down to failings by Police in restricting access to that particular part of the stadium.
Hillsborough trial concludes. https://t.co/9Hqfq2NcFI
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 3, 2019
The jury could not reach a decision on whether match commander for the Merseysiders FA Cup semi-final tie with Nottingham Forest, David Duckenfield, was guilty of gross negligence manslaughter.
The news that no firm verdict had been reached with regard to 74-year-old Mr Duckenfield was greeted with derision by family members who gathered at the Cunnard building in Liverpool city centre to hear the outcomes. The CPS have indicated they will seek a retrial of the retired chief superintendent.
Liverpool FC themselves have subsequently released a statement saying they can "empathise with the frustration shared by everyone affected by the Hillsborough tragedy that the outcome was not definitive".
The continuing journey that has brought the families and survivors to today has resulted in a number of inquiries into the events of April 15, 1989 including the Taylor Report, the Hillsborough Independent Panel Report and in 2016 the Hillsborough Inquest.
It is clear the conclusions reached by these reports remain, including the established fact that the behaviour of Liverpool supporters at Hillsborough was not a contributory factor in the disaster. They were wholly exonerated.
Furthermore, the journey not only to reach today’s stage and continue, is testament to the perseverance and determination of all involved in the ongoing campaign for justice which is now into its 30th year.
Our thoughts are with all those who continue to be affected by the Hillsborough tragedy and the 96 Liverpool supporters who went to watch their team and never came home.
- Liverpool FC Statement
