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Reading Chronicle apologises for Hillsborough 'hooliganism' article | Reading Chronicle apologises for Hillsborough 'hooliganism' article |
(about 5 hours later) | |
A newspaper has apologised for publishing an article that appeared to link football hooliganism with the Hillsborough disaster. | A newspaper has apologised for publishing an article that appeared to link football hooliganism with the Hillsborough disaster. |
The Reading Chronicle article suggested Hillsborough had been a symbol of the game's ills. | The Reading Chronicle article suggested Hillsborough had been a symbol of the game's ills. |
It also cited hooliganism involving Reading Football Club fans leading to the club banning the paper. | It also cited hooliganism involving Reading Football Club fans leading to the club banning the paper. |
Berkshire Media Group apologised "for appearing to link football hooliganism with the Hillsborough tragedy". | Berkshire Media Group apologised "for appearing to link football hooliganism with the Hillsborough tragedy". |
"It was never our intention to do so and we fully accept that hooliganism played no part in the tragic events of 15th April 1989," it said in a statement. | "It was never our intention to do so and we fully accept that hooliganism played no part in the tragic events of 15th April 1989," it said in a statement. |
'It's disgraceful' | 'It's disgraceful' |
Ninety-six Liverpool fans died as a result of a crush during an FA Cup semi-final game with Nottingham Forest on that day in 1989. | |
Louise Brookes, sister of Andrew Brookes from Bromsgrove who lost his life in the tragedy, said: "It's disgraceful. | Louise Brookes, sister of Andrew Brookes from Bromsgrove who lost his life in the tragedy, said: "It's disgraceful. |
"It's unfair that they have been allowed to print such rubbish - there is no connection with hooliganism at Hillsborough." | "It's unfair that they have been allowed to print such rubbish - there is no connection with hooliganism at Hillsborough." |
Headlined the "Other Side of Football", the front page article also claimed Reading fans make Nazi salutes, are drunk, and fight with visiting supporters. | Headlined the "Other Side of Football", the front page article also claimed Reading fans make Nazi salutes, are drunk, and fight with visiting supporters. |
In an open letter on the club's website responding to the piece, Reading's chairman Sir John Madejski said the article was "an unwarranted and sensationalised attack". | In an open letter on the club's website responding to the piece, Reading's chairman Sir John Madejski said the article was "an unwarranted and sensationalised attack". |
The club said only one Reading fan was arrested at its stadium last season. | The club said only one Reading fan was arrested at its stadium last season. |
'Deeply offended' | 'Deeply offended' |
"We have decided to suspend our relationship with this particular publication," Mr Madejski said. | "We have decided to suspend our relationship with this particular publication," Mr Madejski said. |
"We are sure our supporters will agree that we cannot allow the fans' good name to be besmirched in this way. | "We are sure our supporters will agree that we cannot allow the fans' good name to be besmirched in this way. |
"The newspaper also contains a comment relating to the Hillsborough tragedy that has deeply offended many of us in the football family." | "The newspaper also contains a comment relating to the Hillsborough tragedy that has deeply offended many of us in the football family." |
Thames Valley Police said out of 18 fixtures at the stadium last season, only two were policed. | Thames Valley Police said out of 18 fixtures at the stadium last season, only two were policed. |
Supt Stuart Greenfield, area commander for Reading, said: "We would say that Reading Football Club is one of the best run football clubs in the FA. | Supt Stuart Greenfield, area commander for Reading, said: "We would say that Reading Football Club is one of the best run football clubs in the FA. |
"It's irresponsible and I don't think it portrays the right picture of Reading football club at all." | "It's irresponsible and I don't think it portrays the right picture of Reading football club at all." |
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