It has been 24 years passed by when Hillsborough Stadium witnessed one of the worst stadium disasters in soccer history during a match between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool which was the semifinal of FA cup. There was a massive crush among spectators resulting in as many as 96 deaths and 766 injured. That incident is still the darkest day in British history; perhaps it was the wickedest display of police control that resulted in a massive disaster. Today is the 24th anniversary of that incident hence Reading paid homage to all the victims via a one minute silence during its EPL match against Liverpool who was also the team playing on that day. Reading has taken prior permission to hold such homage during a match; hence it was more a respect to all the innocent victims who were there to enjoy a soccer match but ended their lives all of a sudden. Reading issued a statement via its website that mentioned, “Supporters of Reading Football Club and Liverpool Football Club will hold a minute’s silence before Saturday’s fixture at Madejski Stadium as a mark of respect for the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
“With the game falling two days before the 24th anniversary of the tragedy, plans began last week for a fitting tribute to the 96 supporters who lost their lives. The Royals contacted Liverpool FC; spoke to the Premier League earlier today and they of course agreed it was absolutely correct to pay respect on such an occasion.”
Moreover, Reading has also requested FA to hold similar homage in honor of former Prime Minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher who died on Monday at the age of 87. Though, at the moment, FA looks in no mood to acknowledge any such request during FA cup coz Wigan Athletic chairman, Dave Whelan, has already made a formal request for holding a minute silence which is ignored by the governing body. Reading chairman said about his demand for a tribute for former prime minister, he said, “We have got to appreciate that Margaret Thatcher was a world leader who did so much for this country. So much that she deserves a minute’s silence.
“The funeral’s going to take place at St Paul’s, attended by the Queen and Prince Philip, so I think it would be a fitting tribute from the world of football to Margaret Thatcher, one of our greatest leaders.
“Obviously I can appreciate that perhaps some people won’t pay attention to it, which is sometimes the way at football, but I just think she was such a colossus in terms of the world stage that she deserves that respect from the whole nation.”