Police probe web page that mocked fans tragedy

A FACEBOOK page which mocked the Hillsborough football tragedy is being investigated by police.

The page allegedly poked fun at the loss of 96 Liverpool fans who were crushed to death at an FA Cup semi-final in 1989.

According to reports, it went online for a week and received 125 “likes” before being removed by Facebook following complaints forwarded by police.

A spokeswoman for Merseyside Police said: “Merseyside Police can confirm that it has received several complaints from members of the public about comments made on Facebook about the Hillsborough tragedy.

“Detectives from the force’s hi-tech crime unit and CID are investigating.”

The Liverpool Echo said the page featured a graphic picture showing a supporter pinned up against the Leppings Lane fences at Sheffield Wednesday’s stadium. A Facebook spokesman confirmed that the page had been removed, because it violated Facebook’s statements of rights and responsibilities.

Controversy has continued to surround the Hillsborough tragedy in recent times.

In March, government papers leaked to the BBC showed that former Merseyside Police chief constable Sir Kenneth Oxford blamed drunken Liverpool fans.

A report into the disaster by Lord Justice Taylor, published in 1990, found that the main reason for the disaster was a failure of “police control”.

Last month, comedian Alan Davies apologised for comments he made about Liverpool FC’s refusal to play on 15 April, the anniversary of the tragedy.

Since 2009 an independent Hillsborough panel, chaired by the Bishop of Liverpool, has been overseeing the release of official documents relating to the disaster. The disclosure of the documents is expected to take place this autumn.