Liverpool Football Club have long had a very contentious relationship with The Sun, due to the publication’s failed coverage of the Hillsborough Disaster. Infamous “THE TRUTH” headlines from The Sun are some of the most egregious examples of victim blaming that occurred in the wake of the 1989 tragedy that claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool supporters.
Recent inquests into the disaster revealed that the fans were illegally killed due to negligence by the authorities, and that this negligence was covered up. Much of the initial public opinion was slanted against the fans who lost their lives, and much of that lies at the hands of The Sun.
Recent investigations have unearthed evidence absolving and redeeming the victims, thus making The Sun’s initial coverage of the disaster seem even more deplorable today.
Liverpool have had other clashes with the London based, but national in scope publication, on other topics as well. Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp refused to answer questions from The Sun reporters due to their coverage of a player’s personal life.
Have a look below:
Now the club have banned newspaper personnel from all matches, news conferences and club premises (Melwood, Anfield etc.).
The paper has been widely boycotted in the city and the ban follows a campaign by the Total Eclipse of The S*n group.
Paul Collins, from the campaign group, said the club joins Liverpool City Council, pubs, newsagents, and “a long list” of others who support a boycott.
“We are delighted another institution has taken a stance against the Sun newspaper,” he said.
“Some people put up stickers, there is a barber shop which won’t allow people in with it, a community centre put up a brass plaque saying they boycott it.
“People take whatever stance they can. A lot of people share our view.”
The club declined to comment on this development, but The Sun did make a statement via a spokesperson:
“The Sun and Liverpool FC have had a solid working relationship for the 28 years since the Hillsborough tragedy.
“While we can’t undo the damage done, we would like to further a dialogue with the city and to show that the paper has respect for the people of Liverpool.
“Banning journalists from a club is bad for fans and bad for football.”
Further to conversations with LFC Directors we are happy to inform you that s*n journalists are no longer enjoy access to all Club premises
— TotalEclipseOfThes*n (@totaleclipse96) February 10, 2017
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, Bold and the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication, appears regularly as a guest on CGTN America, WGN CLTV News and KOZN.
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