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Anfield cheers and jeers for minister as fans remember the 96 who died at Hillsborough
Terry Kirby15.04.09
A CABINET minister was booed and heckled at the Hillsborough memorial service today.
Culture Secretary Andy Burnham looked taken aback when Liverpool fans mourning the loss of the 96 people killed in the tragedy on 15 April, 1989 began booing.
Some fans started chanting “justice for the 96” after he stood up to read a tribute at a sombre and emotional ceremony at Liverpool's Anfield stadium.
The hostility appeared to be triggered by resentment that there has been no official inquiry into the disaster.
Mr Burnham had already read out part of his tribute with no trouble. The heckling by a minority of the crowd began when he cited Gordon Brown's name, saying: “But today, as the Prime Minister has asked me to convey, we can at least pledge that 96 fellow football supporters who died will never be forgotten.”
However, other fans cheered the minister, who is an Everton supporter, and he was given a standing ovation at the end of his statement.
Thousands of people had gathered today to mark the anniversary of the disaster, when Liverpool fans were crushed to death during the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham at Shefffield Wednesday's Hillsborough stadium.
The Kop and the Centenary stands at Liverpool's Anfield Stadium were opened early for the official memorial service, which began at 2.45pm.
As the families of the victims took their places on the Kop, the crowd of about 25,000 people gave them a huge round of applause.
There was also applause for a group of Celtic fans who laid two banners on the Anfield turf emblazoned with “Justice for the 96” and “You'll never walk alone”.
At 3.06pm, the time the referee blew the whistle and abandoned the game, a two-minute silence was held throughout Merseyside and in Nottingham's
Old Market Square.
After complications with the victims' families it was decided there would be no formal ceremony in Sheffield.
The Leppings Lane end of the Hillsborough ground, where the crush took place, was opened up earlier today for people to visit and pay their respects.
Hundreds of floral tributes, scarves and football shirts of all colours were laid outside the Hillsborough memorial and tied to Anfield's Shankly Gates.
Reader views (2)
In todays Health & Safety world such a tradegy would likely never happen but its still no reason why after 20 years the families of those poor 96 victims are still waiting for justice I just wonder how long it would have taken if game had been in Scotland or London rather than here to sort out this awful incident.
To the families of the victims 'They will never walk alone'
- Mike, London England
Yet again, this totally inept PM has caused huge offence by trying to hi-jack a memorial service and turn it into a political rally. Can't he do anything that doesn't smack of third class politics? Like resigning?
- Lezli Taubler, London / UK
