Academy hosts Heysel friendly

di Jimmy Rice

Liverpool and Juventus supporters came together at the Academy on  Saturday for a friendly match to mark 25 years since the Heysel tragedy. The match, which was organised by Reds fanzine writer Dave Usher and Liverpool-based italian journalist Serafino Ingardia, ended 5-3 to those in red. Ingardia said: "I always felt something more should be done to try and clear the air between the fans. "Having lived in Liverpool for more than five years I have seen with my own eyes how Liverpool fans regret that tragic night and feel genuinely sorry for what shouldn't have happened. "I play football with Liverpool fans every week and have many good friends who are Reds. "I have long been discussing organising an event which could send a positive message to both Juve and Liverpool fans". NDR: Un sentito ringraziamento a Serafino Ingardia per le fotografie e gli articoli Fonte: Liverpoolfc.tv © 1 giugno 2010 Fotografie: Serafino Ingardia © GETTY IMAGES © (Not for Commercial Use)

Amichevole tifosi Liverpool e Juve per ricordare l'Heysel

L'evento organizzato da un giornalista inglese e uno italiano.

(LIVERPOOL) 31 maggio - Per commemorare la tragedia dell’Heysel non ci sono state solo le cerimonie ufficiali. Anche i tifosi di Juventus e Liverpool si sono dati da fare per ricordare i 39 caduti di quella tragica serata di 25 anni fa. Sabato, presso l’Academy dei Reds, supporter delle due squadre hanno dato vita a una partita amichevole organizzata da due giornalisti, l’inglese Dave Usher (che scrive sulla fanzine del Liverpool) e l’italiano Serafino Ingardia. Per la cronaca - ma questa è la cosa meno importante - la gara è stata vinta per 5-3 dai tifosi del club britannico. Il significato dell’iniziativa, però, è un altro e a spiegarlo è Ingardia, che vive a Liverpool: "Ho sempre pensato che si dovesse fare qualcosa di più per migliorare il rapporto tra le due tifoserie - dice al "Liverpool Echo" - Avendo vissuto a Liverpool per più di cinque anni ho visto con i miei occhi quanto i tifosi del Liverpool siano pentiti per quella tragica notte e si sentano sinceramente dispiaciuti per un evento che non sarebbe mai dovuto accadere. Io gioco a calcio ogni settimana con dei tifosi del Liverpool e tra i miei amici ci sono parecchi supporter dei Reds. Ho discusso a lungo l’organizzazione di un evento che potesse mandare un messaggio positivo ai tifosi di entrambe le squadre. E abbiamo pensato che questo fosse il momento giusto". Andrea Lorentini, che nella notte dell’Heysel ha perso il padre Roberto, ha dato la sua benedizione all’amichevole. "Ci sono ancora dei problemi tra i tifosi del Liverpool e della Juventus - afferma da parte sua l’altro organizzatore Usher - E questi problemi probabilmente non saranno mai superati. Purtroppo. La speranza è che i rapporti tra le due curve continueranno a migliorare. E se giocare una gara come questa aiuta anche solo pochissimo in questa direzione, allora è valsa la pena organizzarlo. Volevamo solo mostrare un po’ di unità in memoria di coloro che sono morti in quella tragica notte di 25 anni fa". Fonte: Tuttosport.com © 31 maggio 2010  Fotografia: Serafino Ingardia ©

Liverpool FC and Juventus fans play friendly match

to mark 25th anniversary of Heysel tragedy

di Luke Traynor

"And we felt this would be a fitting time".  Andrea Lorentini, whose father Roberto died on the Heysel terraces, gave the event his blessing. Organiser Dave Usher told the ECHO: "There are still some problems between Liverpool and Juventus. And those problems will probably never completely go away sadly. "Hopefully though relations between the two sets of fans will continue to improve. And if playing a game like this helps even in the tiniest way then it's a worthwhile exercise. "We just wanted to put on a united front in memory of those who died on that tragic night 25 years ago".   Liverpool and Juventus fans played a friendly to mark the anniversary of the Heysel tragedy.  Saturday’s match at LFC’s academy, in Kirkby, took place exactly 25 years after the disaster in which 39 Bianconeri fans lost their lives. The match, which ended in a 5–3 victory for the Liverpool fans, was organised by Reds fanzine writer Dave Usher and Serafino Ingardia, an italian journalist who lives in Liverpool.  Serafino said: "I always felt something more should be done to try and clear the air between the fans. "Having lived in Liverpool for more than five years I have seen with my own eyes how Liverpool fans regret that tragic night and feel genuinely sorry for what shouldn’t have happened". He added: "I play football with Liverpool fans every week and have many good friends who are Reds. "I have long been discussing organising an event which could send a positive message to both Juve and Liverpool fans. Fonte: Liverpooldailypost.co.uk © 31 maggio 2010 Fotografia: Serafino Ingardia ©

Football match aims to heal wounds of Heysel

di Tony Barrett

As is the case on most Saturdays, a football match will take place tomorrow at Liverpool’s Academy base on the outskirts of the city. This one, though, will not feature two teams of youngsters dreaming of forging a career in football - in some respects it will carry much more significance, and certainly more poignancy, than that. One side will represent the supporters of Liverpool, the other fans of Juventus. Given that it will take place on May 29, exactly 25 years to the day since the Heysel Stadium tragedy, it illustrates the lengths that some have gone to in an effort to heal the wounds that opened up on that terrible day. Earlier this week, Liverpool unveiled a plaque in honour of the 39 people who died at Heysel and today a service will take place in Turin with the same purpose. The clubs are doing their bit to commemorate the dead, as well they should, but there is something about the coming together of fans which feels even more significant than anything carrying an official stamp. A quarter of a century ago, the divisions between them were all too apparent and they were to prove deadly as a combination of hooliganism, a crumbling stadium and sub-standard organization conspired to cut short the lives of 39 men, women and children aged from 11 to 58. Since the disaster occurred, blame has been apportioned, bad blood has festered, recriminations have continued and, in some cases, prison sentences have been meted out. The terrible events of that night in Brussels meant there could be no other outcome. There have been numerous attempts at reconciliation and not all have been well received, which is not particularly surprising  given the weight of emotion that inevitably accompanies tragedy. In Turin, the painful memories of Heysel remain strong, something which will again be all too apparent at today’s memorial service to mark the passing of a quarter of a century. Time may have passed but the wounds are still to be totally healed. It is against this backdrop that the match at Liverpool’s Academy will take place and it has already had a positive effect with Andrea Lorentini, who lost his 31-year-old son Roberto at Heysel, admitting to being touched by the coming together of supporters of both clubs in such a positive gesture. Serafino Ingardia, a Juventus fan living in Liverpool, was instrumental in the organization of the game and he takes up the story. "I always felt something more should be done to try and clear the air between Liverpool and Juventus fans," Ingardia said. "Having lived in Liverpool for over five years I have seen with my own eyes how Liverpool fans regret that tragic night and feel genuinely sorry for what shouldn’t have happened. Unfortunately, considering such a tragedy it is incredibly difficult to make a step closer. "We are just trying to get Reds and Bianconeri together 25 years after the Heysel. I play football with Liverpool fans every week, and have many good friends who are Reds. Dave Usher from the Liverpool Way fanzine website and I have long been discussing about an event which could send a positive message to both Juve and Liverpool fans, and we felt the 25th Anniversary would be a fitting time to do this. "I spoke directly to Andrea Lorentini, who is the son of a victim and the head of the Comitato Heysel. He told me that a friendly game would be welcomed by the families and that he is really touched that Liverpool and Juventus fans will be remembering the victims on this anniversary". "This friendly game also received the backing of Francesco Caremani, author of the book "Le Verità sull’Heysel". These 90 minutes of football won’t change history but will be an attempt to lower the anger and a sign to show that Liverpool and Juventus can grow closer little by little".  "Serafino mentioned the idea of this game to me over a year ago, and I felt it was a great idea," added Usher. "Rather than play it last year though, we decided it would be better to do it on the 25th anniversary. "There are still some problems between Liverpool and Juventus, and those problems will probably never completely go away sadly. Hopefully though relations between the two sets of fans will continue to improve, and if playing a game like this helps even in the tiniest way, then it’s a worthwhile excercise. "We just wanted to put on a united front in memory of those who died on that tragic night 25 years ago, and to show people in Italy that we haven’t forgotten. It’s also important to point out that Liverpool FC are fully supportive of this and offered to let us use the Academy to play the game. I’d like to thank Frank McParland and Dave Westhead in particular for their help with organising the game".  Having been fatally divided by football 25 years ago, the mere fact that supporters of Liverpool and Juventus are now able to share a football pitch suggests relations are moving in the right direction. It is a fitting tribute to those who perished at Heysel and it is also symbolic of the true spirit of football and its fans, wherever they are from. Fonte: Timesonline.co.uk © 29 maggio 2010 Video: Serafino Ingradia ©

Fans unite for Heysel

di Steve Hunter

Supporters of Liverpool and Juventus are staging a special friendly at the Kirkby Academy today to mark the 25th anniversary of Heysel.

Juventus fan Serafino Ingardia, who spent some time with Liverpoolfc.tv on a work placement last year, is the man behind the friendship match which kicks-off at 2pm. "I always felt something more should be done to try and clear the air between Liverpool and Juventus fans," said Ingardia. "Having lived in Liverpool for over five years, I have seen with my own eyes how Liverpool fans regret that tragic night and feel genuinely sorry for what shouldn't have happened. "We are just trying to get Reds and Bianconeri together 25 years after Heysel. I have long been discussing about an event which could send a positive message to both Juve and Liverpool fans, and we felt the 25th Anniversary would be a fitting time to do this. "I spoke to Andrea Lorentini, who lost a parent in the tragedy and is the head of the 'Comitato Heysel'. He told me that a friendly game would be welcomed by the families and that he is really touched that Liverpool and Juventus fans will be remembering those who died on this anniversary". Reds fan Dave Usher from the Liverpool Way fanzine, is in charge of the Liverpool team and added: "Serafino mentioned the idea of this game to me over a year ago, and I felt it was a great idea especially to play it on the day of the 25th anniversary. "Hopefully relations between the two sets of supporters will continue to improve, and if playing a game like this helps even in the tiniest way, then it's a worthwhile exercise. "We just wanted to put on a united front in memory of those who died on that tragic night 25 years ago, and to show people in Italy that we haven't forgotten. "It's also important to point out that Liverpool FC are fully supportive of this match and offered to let us use the Academy to play the game. I'd like to thank Frank McParland and Dave Westhead in particular for their help with organising the game". Fonte: Liverpoolfc.tv © 29 maggio 2010 Fotografie: Serafino Ingardia ©  Liverpoolfc.com ©

Tre planted to remember the 39

A Tree-planting ceremony took place to remember the 39 victims of the Heysel football disaster, 25 years on.

The italian honorary consul joined the leader of Liverpool city council to pay homage to those who died at the 1985 European Cup Final between Juventus and Liverpool FC. The tree - a white beam - was planted at St John's Gardens behind St George's Hall, as part of a series of events to remember the victims.  Among those who witnessed the ceremony were the new Walton MP, Steve Rotheram, and Liverpool councillor Peter Millea, who were both present at Heysel as the tragedy unfolded. Cllr Millea said: "I remember being in the stand and watching people spilling over the edge and being crushed in the manner they were. "It's something I'll never forget. "I always acknowledge it was one of those shameful episodes in the past involving Liverpool supporters. "But UEFA must also bear their share of the responsibility because of the inadequate and insensitive arrangements made at the stadium. "If there had been proper segregation and fencing at the time and better management, it could have been prevented". He added: "Events like this tree-planting ceremony help with the spirit of reconciliation between Liverpool and Juventus fans". Mr Rotheram said: "Heysel is a terrible stain on Liverpool's recent history. We have offered the hand of friendship to italian fans, but it's for them to decide when it's right to accept it. The football stadium was not fit for purpose, especially for a game of this magnitude". The Heysel tragedy unfolded when trouble erupted between Juventus and Liverpool fans more than an hour before the match began on Heysel stadium's Y and Z sections - which was meant to have been a neutral zone. During the fighting, a group of italian supporters ran towards a terrace wall which collapsed. Cllr Joe Anderson, at his first official function since becoming Liverpool council leader, said: "I hope this gives some comfort to the italian people and to the families of the fans who lost their lives. "We want to show that we still have feelings for them and still care for them". This story has been reproduced from today's media. It does not necessarily represent the position of Liverpool Football Club. Fonte: Daily Post © 28 maggio 2010 Fotografie: GETTY IMAGES © (Not for commercial use)

Two minutes' silence to honour Heysel deaths

The people of Liverpool can relate to the suffering caused by the Heysel disaster, the city's lord mayor said.

Hazel Williams drew the comparison with Hillsborough during a town hall service ahead of the 25th anniversary of the tragedy on 29 May, 1985. Thirty nine people died when a wall collapsed after a riot before the 1985 European Cup Final between Liverpool and Juventus in Brussels. Two minutes' silence was observed after the service at the town hall. Addressing about 30 people gathered inside, including representatives from Italy, Mrs Williams said: "We as a city know more than most about football-related tragedy and the scale of human suffering. "Regardless of how much time passes, we will never forget those people who didn't return to their families. "As a city we will do everything possible to offer you our apologies and support". After the silence the town hall bells were run 39 times - a gesture which will be repeated at 1900 BST on Saturday, the anniversary day. The Consul for Italy, Nunzia Bertali, said: "I want to say how much I appreciate your gesture of wanting to commemorate the victims of such a horrible tragedy. "Given the circumstances it would have been much easier to forget than to remember". Mrs Bertali and Ms Williams joined hands as the bells rang out and the Rector of Liverpool, Steven Brookes, then led a prayer. The silence was one of several events being held in the run up to the event's 25th anniversary on Saturday. A plaque was unveiled at Anfield on Wednesday in a ceremony attended by former Liverpool captain Phil Neal and former Juventus centre back Sergio Brio, who played in the final. A white beam tree was also planted in St John's Gardens, behind St George's Hall, by Council Leader Joe Anderson. The Heysel disaster led to all English clubs being banned from European football for five years with Liverpool serving an extra year. In 1989, after a five-month trial in Belgium, 14 Liverpool fans were given three-year sentences for involuntary manslaughter. Those who died included 32 italians, four Belgians, two French and a man from Northern Ireland. A further 600 fans were injured that night. Fonte: News.bbc.co.uk © 28 maggio 2010 Video: CNN ©

Heysel deaths marked on 25th anniversary in Liverpool

A plaque to remember the 39 killed during the football riots at Heysel has been unveiled at Anfield stadium.

The permanent tribute was placed on the Centenary Stand to honour the Juventus fans who were crushed to death when a wall collapsed on 29 May 1985. The italian supporters were killed trying to run away from Liverpool fans during the European Cup final. It was the first of several events in the lead up to the 25th anniversary on Saturday. Former Liverpool captain Phil Neal and former Juventus centre back Sergio Brio, who played in the final, attended the ceremony. Liverpool City Council leader Joe Anderson and honorary italian consul Nunzia Bertali planted a White Beam tree in St John's Gardens, behind St George's Hall, as a mark of friendship and respect. Mrs Bertali said: "After 25 years people often think we should move on but it is lovely Liverpool has decided to remember and commemorate in this way, in the name of friendship. "I admire the fact Liverpool, and Britain generally, does not stick its head in the sand when wrongs have been done. "I am so grateful for that and really respect it". The match went ahead, despite objections from both managers, with Juventus winning 1-0 from a second-half penalty. Those who died included 32 italians, four Belgians, two French nationals and a man from Northern Ireland. Mr Anderson said: "I want to extend my sympathies from the whole city of Liverpool. "It was a part in our history that we regret deeply and I think its right and proper that we should pay our respects in the way that we are doing". Civic dignitaries from both clubs and representatives from two Italy-based family support groups were also present at the ceremony which was be presided over by Liverpool's club chaplain Bill Bygroves. Later this week a delegation from Anfield will visit Turin to attend the commemoration events being organised in the city. Anfield is already home to a permanent memorial to the 96 fans killed in the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. Fonte: News.bbc.co.uk © 26 maggio 2010 Fotografie: GETTY IMAGES © (Not for commercial use) © Liverpoolfc.com ©