Liverpool have abandoned plans for a mosaic on the Kop bearing the word “amici” – friends - to welcome Fiorentina to Anfield for tonight’s Champions League fixtures amid concerns it may offend Juventus supporters in the run-up to the 25th anniversary of the Heysel disaster.
The Premier League club had been asked by some supporters to create a mosaic as a goodwill gesture to Fiorentina after Liverpool’s travelling fans were afforded a warm welcome in Florence in September.
One group of Fiorentina’s ultras had asked for a formal twinning between the two sides – though no such link has been established – prompting Juventus fans to express their fear some fans of their fierce rivals were abusing the good relations between the clubs to taunt the Turin side over Heysel.
“Fiorentina have never missed a chance to cheer that tragedy,” said Juventus ultras spokesman Pino Leo.
“We are sure Liverpool fans do not know how their name and shirts are being used to offend the victims of Heysel, but we wish to inform them how Fiorentina will use the link. If there is no respect for the victims, we will always turn our backs on any new request for forgiveness.”
Sources at Liverpool insist the mosaic was intended purely as a goodwill gesture but the decision was taken last night that such an act may have been open to misinterpretation.
The Premier League club had been asked by some supporters to create a mosaic as a goodwill gesture to Fiorentina after Liverpool’s travelling fans were afforded a warm welcome in Florence in September.
One group of Fiorentina’s ultras had asked for a formal twinning between the two sides – though no such link has been established – prompting Juventus fans to express their fear some fans of their fierce rivals were abusing the good relations between the clubs to taunt the Turin side over Heysel.
“Fiorentina have never missed a chance to cheer that tragedy,” said Juventus ultras spokesman Pino Leo.
“We are sure Liverpool fans do not know how their name and shirts are being used to offend the victims of Heysel, but we wish to inform them how Fiorentina will use the link. If there is no respect for the victims, we will always turn our backs on any new request for forgiveness.”
Sources at Liverpool insist the mosaic was intended purely as a goodwill gesture but the decision was taken last night that such an act may have been open to misinterpretation.
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