Reds condemn Hillsborough comments.

[daveymac]

Liverpool Football Club have condemned comments from a journalist who described the Hillsborough disaster as a "riot".

 

Alex Beam has sparked anger among Liverpool fans for using his column in the Boston Globe to suggest "internet fan sites are still agonising over a 21-year-old soccer riot that killed 96 people."

 

The newspaper later amended the article online and acknowledged an error had been made.

 

A Liverpool FC spokesman said: "Mr Beam's comments are disgraceful and ill-informed.

 

"His newspaper has belatedly recognised this by repeating the findings of Lord Justice Taylor that absolved Liverpool supporters of any blame for the tragedy."

 

Families of the 96 who died at Hillsborough were understandably outraged when made aware of the article.

 

Hillsborough Family Support Group spokeswoman Margaret Aspinall, who lost her son James, 18, on the Leppings Lane terraces, said: "It's been nearly 22 years since Hillsborough - why are people still coming out with these things?

 

"Particularly at this time of year, it's pathetic and just hurts the families and survivors. They ought to be ashamed of themselves.

 

"If you know nothing about Hillsborough and read nothing, then it's best to keep your mouth shut."

 

"If you want to pass comment, make sure you've read the Taylor Report."

 

Author: Paul Eaton

[daveymac]

FAMILIES who lost loved ones at Hillsborough today slammed an American journalist for branding the tragedy a "riot."

 

Columnist Alex Beam (pictured) provoked widespread anger among Liverpool FC fans across the world for inaccurate comments about the 1989 disaster.

 

The Boston Globe writer said "internet fan sites are still agonising over a 21-year-old soccer riot that killed 96 people."

 

In a caustic editorial, Beam also described Liverpool as "grotty", describing it as ‘Worcester without the glitz.’

Hillsborough memorial

 

Later yesterday, the newspaper corrected the columnist’s blunder online, acknowledging the error and amending the article.

 

But The Globe stopped short of offering an apology, merely describing the slur as "mischaracterization."

 

The journalist was also slammed by Anfield bosses who condemned his column.

 

A Liverpool FC spokesman said: "Mr Beam’s comments are disgraceful and ill-informed.

 

 

Read More http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news//2010/12/09/hillsborough-families-slam-american-journalist-for-branding-tragedy-a-riot-100252-27793442/?campaign=Northwest_email_echonewsemail:20101209#ixzz17cVwneIZ