Updated at 16.00pm
LIVERPOOL HAVE PAID tribute to the 39 fans who died at the Heysel Stadium on the disaster’s 30th anniversary.
Prior to kick-off in the 1985 European Cup final, the atmosphere between a section of Liverpool and Juventus supporters turned violent and as fans from the Italian side tried to escape, some were crushed against a wall which collapsed under the pressure.
A service was held at Anfield this morning to mark the 30th anniversary of the Heysel Stadium disaster.
The disaster led to English teams being banned from all European competitions for five seasons after Liverpool’s fans were largely blamed for climbing over fences and overcrowding the neutral area of the stand.
And three decades on, Liverpool supporters gathered outside Anfield to remember those who passed away at the club’s permanent memorial.
They also tweeted the message: “Our thoughts are with the families of the 39 fans who lost their lives in the Heysel tragedy 30 years ago today,” accompanied with an image that read “In Memoria e Amicizia (In memory and friendship)”.
Under-fire Fifa President Sepp Blatter today remembered the 39 victims by taking to Twitter to pay his own tribute.
“30 years ago today, 39 football fans from four countries, died at Heysel in Belgium. We will remember them today,” he said.
Last weekend Juventus, in their final home game with Napoli, finally acknowledged the deaths of their fans, something which they had seen as a taboo subject for many years.
In the 39th minute fans raised placards above their heads revealing the names of all 39 victims and also unveiling a huge flag with the number 39 on it.
There will be a memorial mass in Turin for the 39 victims today which will be attended by current and former Juventus players, representatives and families of the victims.
The Football Association released a statement saying: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of those who lost their lives at Heysel on 29 May 1985.”