UEFA have confirmed that Liverpool will not have to play a match on April 15, which will be the 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, after their scheduled Champions League quarter-final second leg against Chelsea was for April 14, rather than the 15th.
Liverpool had request that UEFA ensure they did not play on April 15, when a special memorial service will be held at Anfield in memory of the nintey six fans who were crushed to death at a 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough stadium.
UEFA director of communications William Gaillard was quoted as saying “We could fulfil our promise to Liverpool and that makes us happy and we hope Liverpool fans can find the right atmosphere for honouring their loved ones,” . Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry, who will be leaving the club at the end of the season said the club were “very happy” with the outcome. Parry was quoted as saying “We are very appreciative of the decision to play the second leg on April 14. It was always clear from our discussions with UEFA that they understood the issue and the sensitivities involved around the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.”
