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14th Aug 2016

UK construction firm apologises after workers sprawl Hillsborough slurs on Anfield bathroom walls

Disgraceful.

Kevin Beirne

No matter your footballing loyalties, we can all agree that the events at Hillsborough on April 15, 1989 represent one of the darkest moments in sporting history.

On that day, 96 people lost their lives and 766 were injured in a crush during Liverpool’s FA Cup semi-final tie with Nottingham Forest.

After the longest jury hearing in British legal history, the fans were found to be unlawfully killed and it was determined that their behaviour did not contribute to the deaths.

But still, a certain set of football ‘fans’ think it is funny to joke about the incident and the subsequent three decades that friends and families of the victims spent seeking justice.

And now the construction company in charge of the extension on the Main Stand at Anfield, Carillion, have been forced to issue an apology after workers graffitied the bathrooms with “appalling” comments about the Hillsborough disaster and Liverpool Football Club itself.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: A general view of the stadium during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and Manchester City at Anfield on August 26, 2012 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

According to The Liverpool Echo – who refused to publish the worst of the offending comments – messages included notes such as “dirty scousers” and the initials of both Manchester United and Everton football clubs.

A spokesperson for Carillion said the graffiti has since been removed, before apologising for the incident:

“As soon as this appalling graffiti came to our attention we had it removed from the toilet block,” the spokesperson said.

“The block is used by sub-contractors working on the site. We have instructed all our sub-contractors to make it clear to their people that such behaviour is unacceptable and that anyone found to be responsible for such graffiti will be removed from the site and not allowed on any other Carillion site.

“We have spoken to Liverpool Football Club and expressed our disappointment that this has happened.

“We would like to apologise to the families and friends of those involved in the terrible events at Hillsborough for any distress caused.

“Our people work closely with LFC and the local community and hope this unpleasant incident will not sour the good relationship we have established.”