UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVERPOOL'S QUARTER-FINAL DATE:LIVERPOOL WILL almost certainly avoid having to play the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final on the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, it emerged yesterday, despite Uefa president Michel Platini's unwillingness to give the club an outright guarantee before Friday's draw.
The captain, Steven Gerrard, who had a cousin among the 96 fans who were crushed to death at the Leppings Lane end of the ground before an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on April 15th, 1989, has added his voice to those who have called on Uefa to ensure there is no clash with the anniversary of the tragedy. The club have exchanged a series of letters with the European governing body but have received no guarantees.
However, it is understood that, when the draw has been made, Liverpool’s desire not to play on Wednesday the 15th will be fed into Uefa’s fixture computer and it is “extremely unlikely” they will be forced to do so.
The clash with the anniversary will be treated the same way as other factors that prevent certain teams playing on specific nights. In the past, these have included practical concerns such as stadium clashes, for example if Internazionale and Milan were both drawn to play at home or if it were recommended that Chelsea and Arsenal should not play at home on the same night on police advice.
Uefa sources said last night that Platini was unwilling to give a guarantee ahead of the draw for fear of setting a precedent. In the past, Uefa have received requests for matches to be moved because they coincide with significant anniversaries or for religious reasons.
They argued that the organisation schedule more than 1,600 matches a year and that it was important to ensure there could be no perception the draw was in any way being fixed.
But once it has been made, barring a series of unforeseen scheduling problems that would make it impossible, it will ensure Liverpool play their opening tie on Wednesday, April 8th, and the return leg on Tuesday, April 14th.
Platini said yesterday that Uefa would “do our utmost” to prevent the tie having to go ahead on April 15th.
“We are aware of the huge significance of the April 15th 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 Platini.
“I have been in regular correspondence with Liverpool on this matter for some time now and fully sympathise with the club’s feelings as to the importance of respecting the date for those who lost their lives at Hillsborough. This being the 20th anniversary of that tragic disaster in 1989 makes it even more relevant and we will take this into account.”
For his part, Gerrard said on Sunday: “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.”
Gerrard will lead Liverpool players and officials at a memorial service in the city on April 15th.
“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 FA are planning to play hosts to representatives of the victims’ families at Wembley on April 18th, when Chelsea play Arsenal or Hull City in the first FA Cup semi-final. There will be one minute of applause as a mark of respect.
