Rodgers wants end to Hillsborough chants

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has called on rival fans to stop unsavoury chants about the Hillsborough tragedy.

British Prime Minister David Cameron apologised to the families of 96 Liverpool supporters killed at the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough in 1989 after new findings on the disaster were revealed on Wednesday.

Those findings exonerated Liverpool fans of any blame for the incident, exposing a massive police cover-up of the facts that went as far as witness statements being tampered with.

The families and friends of the victims have fought for 23 years for the truth to be uncovered and Rodgers, who attended a memorial vigil on Wednesday night, believes it is important that nasty chants about the incident are eradicated so these families are not constantly reminded of the tragedy.

“I never like to hear anything like that,” declared Rodgers when asked about the chants.

“Unfortunately you have a very, very small percentage of idiots at every club that will always try and smear a club’s reputation.

“But let’s hope that we can move on from this and everyone learns from this whole process.”

A new inquest appears likely to occur into the Hillsborough tragedy after an initial finding of ‘accidental death’ was found to be seriously lacking following Wednesday’s report by the Hillsborough Independent Panel.

And such an inquest could potentially see the South Yorkshire Police, Sheffield City Council and stadium owners, Sheffield Wednesday, facing alleged corporate manslaughter charges.

Rodgers, though, lauded the courage shown by the families over the last 23 years as they fought for the truth to be exposed.

“We’ll have all suffered death in our lives, in our families,” Rodgers said.

“But to have it to maybe your son, your daughter, your sister and then to have a campaign against that – you can never begin to imagine what that must feel like.

“So I think as I said, everyone will draw inspiration from how hard they fought, and the time and the effort that went into protecting those loved ones.”

And while Rodgers has only been at Liverpool a short time since crossing from Swansea at the end of last season, he said Wednesday’s vigil would serve as something of an inspiration for him.

“What my time here and especially last night has given me is even greater pride and responsibility, drive and determination to bring social happiness to the people who have suffered for so long,” he said.

“That was my recollection of standing there last night and being at the vigil.

“It involved all sorts of emotions. There were mothers there who have fought for their kids and for the names of their families for so many years and there’s a pride in being the manager of such an iconic club.

“I must pay respect to the Everton supporters who were at the vigil last night as well.

“This is a very unique city – there’s not too many cities where the supporters are such rivals but come together.

“This is the type of city Liverpool is, it is very much one.

“When they are down and they are struggling, they come together no matter what team they support. I had great pride standing there watching last night.”