Platini offers hand for Hillsborough plea

UEFA president Michel Platini has offered Liverpool and its fans hope by announcing that the organisation will do their utmost to avoid the Reds playing their Champions League quarter-final on April 15th, the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster.

On April 15th 1989, 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives at Sheffield’s Hillsborough stadium. [More Information]

Liverpool have put in an official request to avoid the second leg of their quarter-final tie clashing with this important date when the draw is made this Friday.

Platini said, “We will do our utmost to make sure that the club does not have to play its Champions League second leg quarter-final match on that day.

“We are aware of the huge significance of the 15 April date for both Liverpool and their fans.

“I have been in regular correspondence with Liverpool FC on this matter for some time now and fully sympathise with the club’s feelings as to the importance of respecting the date of 15 April for those who lost their lives at Hillsborough.

“This being the 20th anniversary of that tragic disaster in 1989 makes it even more relevant and we will take this into account.”

On Sunday, Reds skipper Steven Gerrard made a plea to UEFA not to allow the clash to happen.