I really think the blame should go to mostly the crowd control, their lack of communication and misjudgment, those officers on the ground could clearly see innocent fans under great distress, some crying aloud for help! those officers just did not see the gravity of the situation, should have taken down the barriers, sent messages to fellow officers at the gates to stop more fans coming in, and to needless to say some of the selfish fans behavior should also be taken into consideration, they should have known that there is only so much room and pushing and shovelling could only result in other fans already in getting hurt, all these things happen at a spur of a moment, no one could predict the outcome, everyone wanted to get in and watch the game, some at any cost! and the results are devastating for some families of innocent fans who lost lives.
There was a huge failure at all levels, largest obviously goes to the police, who failed to control the huge crowd outside waiting to get in, and the behavior of those fans outside! even after this tragic event, when some lives could have been saved, ambulances couldn't reach the victims in time etc. It was simply a tragic event, not just one person responsible or one team, so both the authorities and as well as those selfish fans outside contributed to this tragic event, they should not have pushed and shoved their way in past the police line, if i am not mistaken, the game had started, so there was this massive last minute surge of fans trying to get in at any cost! they pushed past the line of police crowd control, who were outnumbered and couldn't do their job well of keeping late fans out some I guess would have turned up without tickets! as they do in some popular matches when all tickets are sold out, they hope someone might sell them one at the door! They also rushed in!
This is according to my opinion. We can all talk about it and have endless debates and blaming each other, those people who died will never come back, but we have learnt something from this tragedy, hopefully in future events, we could avoid such tragedy.
By all means please say i am **** wrong, I don't mind, I wasn't really there, but saw it all unfold on TV! so I am basing it on what I heard and saw mostly on telly!
Some good points Mike.
However- it's very difficult for a small handfull of police to control a massive number of ticketless fans from gaining entry into a ground .
Let's not kid ourselves-- too many of the supporters went there without a ticket and if those supporters travelled a fair distance- they would not take NO for a answer )as we saw).
Police only know roughly how many people will be wanting entry- because of ticket sales info.
They cannot possibly know how many other 'fans' will be there trying to get entry after spilling out of the pubs etc .
Last year- this conversation was going on - and I made comments regarding Liverpool supporters . As expected I was attacked and insulted because I told it as I see it . And- also as I 'saw' it in the 1970s at Molineux .
Common denominator .
The pushers/fans will always believe they are right and did no wrong .
The police know what it was like that day.
The courts of Justice are sick to the back teeth of all the moans, groans, whinging and protesting ( wasn't our fault 'la' )
So Just the same as a 'law case ' that has found someone guilty- He who shouts loudest shouts last .Appeal and keep appealing and eventually it gets too expensive and you will be let out.
It was getting too expensive for government to let this saga carry on --
Even allowing for ;;;usual;;; 'compensation' payments to be met.
Justice ?? '''my ar$e'' -- compensation-- yes- that's what it's all about .
But- guess what -- even when they get paid-- they see that as a 'further opportunity'' --and so- the claims for 'stress'' because of '''stress'' come flying in.
Wont be a end to this subject --Mark my words..
Just for the record-- despite what people in L/pool think-- I really dont have a problem with them . I DO have some nice scouse pals indeed.
My scouse pals- also get sick of the whinging and moaning and complaining of their fellow citzens .
ffs its 20 years or so ago--
