The Hillsborough Families Support Group will demand new inquests
- and possible criminal prosecutions - into the tragedy following
the publication of findings on the tragedy from an independent
panel.
On Wednesday, the Hillsborough Independent Panel announced the
results of its investigation into the disaster, which saw 96 people
killed at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and
Nottingham Forest. The investigation revealed the full extent of
the police cover-up of events as Liverpool supporters were
exonerated from any blame for the confusion on the day.
While relieved that the evidence was made public after 23 years,
the HFSG will nevertheless now push for further official inquests
to ensure full justice is done.
"The findings of the Hillsborough Independent Panel have finally
vindicated the families in their 23-year struggle to establish the
truth," a HFSG statement read. "However, after truth must come
justice. We have spoken today to our lawyers and taken initial
advice.
"As the families have always believed and insisted, it was the
actions and inaction of those in authority that caused the deaths
at Hillsborough on April 15, 1989.
"The fans did not contribute to the tragedy. Any blame
previously laid at their door has been shown to be part of a
despicable conspiracy by those in authority to tarnish the
reputations of the dead, the survivors of the disaster and the
people of Liverpool.
"This conspiracy has been revealed for what it is: a bid to
avoid accountability. Those responsible can avoid accountability no
longer."
The HFSG said it had instructed lawyers to contact the Attorney
General and the Director of Public Prosecutions, among other
"relevant parties", to ensure justice is delivered. Criminal
prosecutions against those responsible for the cover-up will be
pushed for, while families hope civil proceedings that might have
previously been dismissed or settled on the basis of incorrect
evidence will now be reopened.
"This goes beyond Hillsborough," Trevor Hicks, who lost two
daughters in the tragedy, said. "What was exposed on Wednesday was
a disgrace to the nation, not just the families... This goes across
society and it's important for society at large not to let this
rest."
Meanwhile, the Football Association is unlikely to punish
Manchester United after a small minority of their fans sang chants,
believed to concern the Hillsborough tragedy, during Saturday's
Premier League win over Wigan.
Cries of "Always the victims, never your fault" were heard
during the match, a refrain that grew in popularity at Old Trafford
after the Luis Suarez racism affair, which saw the Uruguayan banned
for directing racially-charged insults at United full-back Patrice
Evra.
The chants were condemned by manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and a
leading United supporters' group, but are unlikely to be officially
punished by the FA. "We enjoy a fierce rivalry but these issues
transcend that rivalry," Manchester United's Supporters' Trust
chairman Duncan Drasdo said. "Following this week's developments
and release of revelatory information on the Hillsborough tragedy,
MUST wishes to make it absolutely clear that just as we condemn
chants mocking the Munich air disaster we also condemn any chants
relating to Hillsborough - or indeed any other human tragedy."