Southall: Liverpool FC fans not to blame for Heysel

[Frogfish]

ALL eyes were on Liverpool FC again, when they played Juventus in the European Cup Final.​

It was Liverpool’s fifth final, Juventus’s first. Liverpool had never lost at that stage of the competition before. They had that sort of winning mentality that we now also believed we had. But what happened that day was one of the most notorious episodes in football history.​

History has blamed the fans because they’re an easy target. I think sometimes it’s very easy as an Everton fan to look at Liverpool Football Club and blame them for Heysel. I don’t blame them for Heysel whatsoever. I blame other people for Heysel.​

I’ve seen how UEFA sweep stuff under the carpet at first hand. Anybody who caused any grief they’d just get rid of them, because that’s their way of doing things. And look at what happened after Heysel, a tragedy that started with them.​

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Maybe Liverpool fans bore some of the responsibility, but too little attention has been focused on the true causes and UEFA’s responsibility.​

Why was the game played at the Heysel Stadium, which was completely unfit – it was utterly substandard – for such a match? Why was drinking allowed to take place all through the day leading up to the game?​

It was a complete disgrace and all sorts of people who had no part in this horrible tragedy were punished.​

As a player, to not have the right to compete with the best clubs in Europe was a devastating, bitter blow.​

You look back and you see careers destroyed by that European ban. I’m sure it must have been awful for fans as well.​

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-fc/liverpool-fc-news/2012/08/17/100252-31641124/?#ixzz23mnoi9Io​

 

[Mojo]

Refreshing to hear truth from a bitter.
Will never forget that night. It was the first time I ever watched us and began supporting us.
I wonder how many more times we would have won Ol' Big Ears if it wasn't for the ban.

 

[LeTallecWiz]

I know we're supposed to hate our blue neighbors, but I've read how it was different back in the day - a 'proper' rivalry where you hated them on match day but 'unity' otherwise. Statements like that by Southall are good to hear.

 

[Fabio]

I know we're supposed to hate our blue neighbors, but I've read how it was different back in the day - a 'proper' rivalry where you hated them on match day but 'unity' otherwise. Statements like that by Southall are good to hear.

Days long gone by some elements sadly

Still, fair play to him

 

[FoxForceFive]

I know we're supposed to hate our blue neighbors, but I've read how it was different back in the day - a 'proper' rivalry where you hated them on match day but 'unity' otherwise. Statements like that by Southall are good to hear.

Didn't hate them on match day either wiz. Fuck, I remember walking the derby with blues up until about 92 & there always being a good atmosphere. Afterwards you'd always have some dicks from both sides but they'd be shouted down.

Whilst you still see that in isolation (the fa cup semi is a good example) more often there's a tense atmosphere & some sniping, despite families split by footy rivalry walking the match together.

I fucking hate it, it's what used to set our city apart from other fans.

 

[Frogfish]

Didn't hate them on match day either wiz. Fuck, I remember walking the derby with blues up until about 92 & there always being a good atmosphere. Afterwards you'd always have some dicks from both sides but they'd be shouted down.

Whilst you still see that in isolation (the fa cup semi is a good example) more often there's a tense atmosphere & some sniping, despite families split by footy rivalry walking the match together.

I fucking hate it, it's what used to set our city apart from other fans.

That's very sad to hear. It's been many many years since I've had a chance to go to a match at Anfield but when I used to work at Seaforth and regularly go to the derby matches, I don't remember any animosity - families half in blue and half in red walked to the ground with friends and other supporters and there were laughing happy faces and jovial banter all around. Sad reflection of today's society.

 

[FoxForceFive]

Tbh its not really match going fans that cause shit, it's bellend youths who don't even go the game hanging round the stadium. Though it must be said the match goers aren't as jovial & happy as in years gone by!