HEYSEL

On the 29th May 1985, Liverpool and their well-seasoned travelling fans were in Brussels, to play in yet another European Cup Final (the 5th in 8 years) against the Turin based Italian club, Juventus. Two massive clubs in a 'showdown' for European clubs' most sought after prize. However, the occasion is now sadly remembered for the loss of 39 lives; 38 Italians and 1 Belgian. A concrete wall collapsed upon them. The verdict reached at the time (instigated by Margaret Thatchers' government) was that English 'hooligans' were responsible for the tragic deaths. The result being that all English football clubs were banned from playing in Europe for five years and Liverpool six.

Nobody can dispute that football related violence was a big problem in the 1970's and 80's in the U.K; rivalry and conflict between opposing fans has existed in football since the game began. However, later video footage and first-hand accounts (from both sides) have shown that the deaths were not the fault of 'rioting' hooligans as indicated by UEFA and government officials involved. There was no inquiry into the disaster: usually, when any public tragedy occurs it is standard procedure to investigate the causes and whyfors of the event. But as the stadium was UEFA owned: they would have been investigating 'themselves'. It is now 'generally' believed the cause of the disaster was due to an accumulation of:

Badly organised crowd control by Belgian authorities.

Ticket distribution to clubs badly monitored by UEFA.

Heysel stadium was in extremely poor condition.

Prior to the game being played, Liverpool filed a report to the Football Authorities, (based on the experience of Arsenal the year before) claiming that the ground was 'unfit' to stage a big game. It mentioned the lack of facilities for spectators, the apalling condition of stands - crumbling and deteriorating concrete (eye-witnesses' account for 'weeds' growing between the cracks of the concrete). Needless to say, these warnings were not acted upon by UEFA, and the 1985 European Cup Final went ahead in a run-down athletics stadium.

Whoever or whatever was to blame will remain controversial. It must be so frustrating for friends and families of the victims as this disaster could easily have been avoided - the stadium was not 'fit' to host such a high profile game, and the local Police and stadium officials should never have allowed opposing fans to mix, especially in an area designated for 'neutrals' only.

To the astonishment of most, UEFA insisted the game of football be played - Juventus won 1-0, a penalty awarded to Michel Platini.

Shortly after the disaster the Heysel stadium was demolished and re-built, now named 'Stade Roi Baudouin'.

Liverpool and Juventus Football Clubs fortunately do not bare any grudges to one another. 20 years after the tragedy, 2005, they finally met again in the Champions League Quarter-Final. The teams and their supporters remembered and paid their respects to those who lost their lives with a 1 minute silence before kick-off.

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