UEFA ready to heed Liverpool plea on date

UEFA said on Monday that it would do its utmost to ensure that Liverpool do not have to play their Champions League quarter final tie on the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.

“We are aware of the huge significance of the 15 April date for both Liverpool FC and their fans, and that is why we will do our utmost to make sure that the club does not have to play its UEFA Champions League second leg quarter-final match on that day,” said UEFA President Michel Platini.

“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,” Platini added in a statement.

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

Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard on Sunday appealed to UEFA to reschedule the club’s second leg tie due on Wednesday, April 15.

Gerrard, who lost a cousin at Hillsborough, told the club’s website: “We hope that UEFA show some common sense. You would think they would accept the significance of the date for the people of Liverpool, but unfortunately feelings like that don’t always come into it.

“Hillsborough is always on my mind because I lost a member of my family there and any success we get as a club this year will be dedicated to those people who lost their lives.”

The date will mark 20 years since 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives at the Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield which was hosting the club’s FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.