Friday, April 15, 2011

Dalglish - Justice Is Closer

Kenny Dalglish believes that the families of the 96 Liverpool supporters who died at Hillsborough are closer to obtaining justice.

The Reds boss will lead mourners at Friday's memorial service at Anfield to mark the 22nd anniversary of disaster.

Families of those who lost their lives in Sheffield have been campaigning for answers since 1989, but still no-one in authority has been held accountable for the tragedy.

An independent panel is examining previously unseen documents relating to Hillsborough and James Jones, the bishop of Liverpool who is chairing the panel, is expected to complete the report later this year.

Dalglish, who was Liverpool's manager in 1989 and who is currently in caretaker charge, is hopeful the families will finally get the justice they have been battling for.

"I think it's getting closer to some positive news for the families, but it has taken a long time to get to this point as well," he said.

"Two years ago Andy Burnham [then secretary of state for culture, media and sport] came up to the memorial service and promised that he would do the best he could to get access to some papers that were not due to be released for another three or four years and to the man's great credit he has done that.

"They have got access now to some papers that they've never had before and have now got to file through them and that's why I'm saying it's getting a bit more positive for the families."

Dalglish, who helped the club deal with the aftermath of Hillsborough, believes it is important that those who died are remembered by everyone associated with the game.

"I don't think what happened there will ever be removed from anybody and neither should it," added Dalglish. "I don't think anybody should ever forget it.

"I suppose the people who were there are the ones who have the strongest opinion on it. There are people now passing an opinion on things but I'm sure had they been there they would have a different opinion.

"For ourselves also, it has been that long that there is a generation of our supporters now who know about it but obviously weren't there. I'm sure it is to the forefront of their minds as well.

"Everybody knows what it means to the football club and everybody knows how difficult it is for the people who lost someone there. The sooner they get the justice for themselves, the happier they will be and we all will be for them."

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