The Hillsborough tragedy is one of the darkest chapters in British sporting history. On April 15, 1989, 96 Liverpool supporters lost their lives during an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield. What began as an exciting day for fans turned into a catastrophic event that would forever change football and its approach to safety.
The tragedy unfolded in the central pens of the Leppings Lane end, where overcrowding led to a devastating crush. The victims died due to asphyxiation and injuries sustained in the chaos. One of the victims, Tony Bland, was resuscitated on the field and on life support until 1993.
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Despite initial claims by South Yorkshire police officers blaming the fans, the truth about the disaster took decades to emerge, largely thanks to the relentless efforts of the bereaved families and the Hillsborough Family Support Group.