An MP has criticised a football policing organisation over comments, he said, linked the Hillsborough disaster to the debate over alcohol restrictions at matches.
Liverpool West Derby MP Ian Byrne described a statement from the UK Football Policing Unit (UKFPU) as “appalling”, after it referenced the Taylor Report and football-related tragedies while discussing whether fans should be allowed to drink alcohol in view of the pitch.
The UKFPU had been responding to Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s suggestion that the ban on drinking alcohol in football stands could be reviewed.
The policing body has since issued a further statement saying it had not intended to link alcohol with Hillsborough.
Ninety-seven fans died as a result of the crush at an FA cup semi-final at the Hillsborough ground in Sheffield.
The Taylor Report came out of the 1990 judicial inquiry into the 1989 disaster.
After a 27-year campaign by victims’ families, the behaviour of Liverpool fans was exonerated and new inquests concluded those who died were unlawfully killed.
In response to Burnham’s suggestion on Thursday that the ban on alcohol in football stands could be changed, police chiefs warned against relaxing the law.
A UKFPU spokesperson said alcohol often played “a significant part in violent and disorderly behaviour” among a minority of football supporters.
They added: “Following a number of football-related tragedies, changes in legislation were implemented after the Taylor Report for good reason and we are currently in the longest ever period without a significant football related disaster.”
Byrne said those comments were “sickening” and risked making an association between Hillsborough and alcohol.