Liverpool and Manchester United (and some of it’s supporters) came together to pay tribute to the 96 Hillsborough victims before the Reds’ first home game since the released of the Hillsborough Independent Panel’s report into evidence surrounding the 1989 disaster.
96 red balloons were released by team captains Steven Gerrard and Ryan Giggs, whilst Bobby Charlton presented a bouquet of flowers to Liverpool legend Ian Rush. Both clubs had hoped the gestures would convince fans to stop trading insults over tragic events in the past.
Whilst the video shows a beautiful rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, along with a mosaic covering the Kop, Anfield Road End and Lower Centenary stands, the attempts to drown out the tribute by the traveling Manchester Utd fans can clearly be heard.
‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ was delayed until the tributes began – later than the usual matchday timing of the anthem. It was part of the tribute, and coincided with the first display of the mosaic. ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, along with moasic aloft, WAS the tribute. Either visiting fans chose to ignore that or they were oblivious to what was going on around them.
For shame.
JFT96.
Thank you to Liverpool FC & supporters and Manchester United FC for their parts in the important occasion.
Video hosted by YouTube and available free on Liverpool’s official website.
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