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Apology for football Twitter post | Apology for football Twitter post |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The aide to a Welsh Assembly Government minister has apologised for a Twitter posting insulting fans of Liverpool FC. | The aide to a Welsh Assembly Government minister has apologised for a Twitter posting insulting fans of Liverpool FC. |
David Taylor said he had no idea his comments could be connected to the Hillsborough tragedy 20 years ago this week, when 96 Liverpool fans died. | David Taylor said he had no idea his comments could be connected to the Hillsborough tragedy 20 years ago this week, when 96 Liverpool fans died. |
He wrote "You'll never walk again" after declaring that he "hated Liverpool" more than Chelsea. | He wrote "You'll never walk again" after declaring that he "hated Liverpool" more than Chelsea. |
The aide to deputy regeneration minister Leighton Andrews said he was "mortified" at the effect. | The aide to deputy regeneration minister Leighton Andrews said he was "mortified" at the effect. |
Mr Taylor made his comments last week on Twitter during the Champions League quarter-final as Liverpool were defeated at home by Chelsea. | Mr Taylor made his comments last week on Twitter during the Champions League quarter-final as Liverpool were defeated at home by Chelsea. |
As they played, Mr Taylor, a Manchester United fan, posted the musing: "Who do I hate most - Chelsea or Liverpool?". Then: "Liverpool, obviously". | As they played, Mr Taylor, a Manchester United fan, posted the musing: "Who do I hate most - Chelsea or Liverpool?". Then: "Liverpool, obviously". |
He then wrote: "You'll never walk again". | He then wrote: "You'll never walk again". |
The term is the title of a chant, believed to pre-date the Hillsborough tragedy, which plays on words of the Liverpool terrace anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone. | The term is the title of a chant, believed to pre-date the Hillsborough tragedy, which plays on words of the Liverpool terrace anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone. |
But it came only a week before the 20th anniversary of 96 supporters being crushed to death at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in Sheffield. | But it came only a week before the 20th anniversary of 96 supporters being crushed to death at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in Sheffield. |
When issuing his apology, Mr Taylor said he was unaware of any connotations. | When issuing his apology, Mr Taylor said he was unaware of any connotations. |
He said: "I had no idea it was anything to do with Hillsborough. I'm absolutely mortified. Obviously I apologise. I had no idea that the chant had reference to that at all. | He said: "I had no idea it was anything to do with Hillsborough. I'm absolutely mortified. Obviously I apologise. I had no idea that the chant had reference to that at all. |
'Football banter' | 'Football banter' |
"Maybe I'm negligent or whatever. I'm really sorry if I caused any offence. It's totally unintentional, I just would not have written something like that if I knew. | "Maybe I'm negligent or whatever. I'm really sorry if I caused any offence. It's totally unintentional, I just would not have written something like that if I knew. |
"I was watching the Champions League game in the pub with a load of Liverpool fans and it was just some banter." | "I was watching the Champions League game in the pub with a load of Liverpool fans and it was just some banter." |
Mr Taylor later removed the comments from Twitter. | Mr Taylor later removed the comments from Twitter. |
He wrote that he saw the comments "simply as run-of-the-mill football banter" and had been "completely unaware" that they could be seen as anything other than that. | He wrote that he saw the comments "simply as run-of-the-mill football banter" and had been "completely unaware" that they could be seen as anything other than that. |
Mr Taylor said if any relatives were offended he apologised "in full and without reserve". | Mr Taylor said if any relatives were offended he apologised "in full and without reserve". |
His apology was issued on aneuringlyndwr.com, a political website registered to him. | |
Last month the website drew complaints after hosted a video depicting Wales' Tory leader as a vampire and Plaid Cymru's in a clown hat. | Last month the website drew complaints after hosted a video depicting Wales' Tory leader as a vampire and Plaid Cymru's in a clown hat. |
First Minister Rhodri Morgan has distanced himself from the video. | First Minister Rhodri Morgan has distanced himself from the video. |
Mr Morgan said that, as leader of Labour in Wales, he would expect those who were involved with the video to "live and learn". | Mr Morgan said that, as leader of Labour in Wales, he would expect those who were involved with the video to "live and learn". |
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