By Andrew Warshaw
September 13 – Twenty-four hours after an apology from Prime Minister David Cameron over the Hillsborough disaster cover-up, the English Football Association today said it, too, was sorry for having selected the stadium in the first place – although not everyone has accepted the apology.
FA chairman David Bernstein offered a “full and unreserved apology” to all those affected by the 1989 tragedy in which 96 people died during the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest (pictured below).
The FA’s action came after the Hillsborough Independent Panel report showed Sheffield Wednesday’s ground did not have a valid safety certificate at the time of the match.
In expressing sympathy for the families, Bernstein said his organisation was “deeply sorry this tragedy occurred at a venue the FA selected”.
“Nobody should lose their lives when setting out to attend a football match and it is a matter of extreme regret and sadness that it has taken so long for these findings to be published,” Bernstein’s statement said.
“For 23 years the families have suffered unbearable pain and we have profound sympathy for them.”
But Andy Burnham, the shadow health secretary, questioned how the FA had allowed the tie to be played at a ground that was patently unsafe.
“Why were supporters allowed to go into those unsafe conditions?” he asked.
That is a question certain to be addressed in the coming days but Bernstein made a point of stressing that the FA and English football had “changed immeasurably and learnt many lessons in the last 23 years.
“Through advancements in safety and investment in facilities English football is now a much safer, more welcoming environment for supporters.”
The FA’s apology came 24 hours after – rather than before – a personal intervention by FIFA President Sepp Blatter who, in a letter to Cameron, cited improvements made by the English football authorities.
“No football fan should go to a game and not return home,” wrote the head of world football’s governing body.
“Their safety should always be of paramount importance, something which the British football authorities have recognised in the wake of this tragedy in building all-seater stadiums and establishing safety standards that are an example to the world.”
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