Hillsborough Charity refuses donation.

[Gromit]

Liverpool FC Refuse to play any football fixtures on April 15th, the anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy. It is unusual for a team to dictate to the FA when they will play. It can also cause problems for opponents, who find they may have to play games closer together, to accommodate Liverpool FCs stance.

On some obscure football TV channel, comedian Alan Davis questioned Liverpool's refusal to play. He pointed out that they are happy to play on the anniversay of the Heysal tragedy. He also pointed out that Manchester United play on the anniversary of the Munich disaster and Rangers on the anniversary of the Ibrox Stadium disaster.

This caused a backlash, and Davis tried to make amends by offering to give £1000 to the Hillsborough charity. But they refuse to accept the money.

Are they right in not accepting the donation?

http://www.dailymail....refuses-donation.html

[sir.prize]

So Liverpool will be playing in FA Cup Semi Final on Saturday 14th April at Wembley. Also Chelsea will be playing at Wembley on Sunday. Surely there was no plan for both games to be played on the 15th! I do not understand the problem.

[anotheoldgit]

It seems in this day and age everyone has got to either look over one's shoulder before speaking or keep one's mouth shut full time.

Personally I don't think Alan Davis said anything hurtful, and as said previously if each and every club decided not to play on a particular day which was of a special significance to them, the fixtures would be in chaos.

[Gromit]

Sir.prize

Chelsea are playing in the semi Final of the Champions League on Wednesday. They would normally be allocated the 14th fixture in order to give them more time before their mid week match. Because Liverpool have dictated they want the 14th, Chelsea have effective one less day to prepare for their match against Barcelona. Davis and others think that is unfair to Chelsea.

[sir.prize]

Thanks for the explanation Gromit. However, Chelsea should be able to recover for their Champions League game. Considering they have just played on 4th, 7th and 9th April. After all, they are professionals.

[China Doll]

Probably right in refusing the donation as it really was just a gesture of good will. But I actually don't think he should have felt the need to make the gesture or to appologise, he's got a perfectly valid point.

[dave50]

Well said jomifl and very brave to say it, nobody else would dare even suggest it because it is Liverpool after all and they are whiter than white.

[tonyav]

Well I'm glad that there Hillsborough charity has so much money that they can easily turn away a £1000 donation. If they don't want or need it i would accept it.

[douglas9401]

Comments feed the outrage industry. I blame Princess Diana.

[Gromit]

// ...since when have the authorities ever concerned themselves with any clubs fixture lists. //

Well, Liverpool in this case and fixture in previous years. Their refusing to play on the 15th means the authorities have to concern themselves with their fixtures.

Of course they could both play on Saturday, but ITV and their cash would be upset.

[Davethedog]

Gromit I think youll find that its the FA and there insistance on palying at Wembley thats the dictatr here, not ITV

[Gromit]

ITv would not allow it to be played on Friday evening or Dunday lunchtime instead.

[sir.prize]

Surely playing them both on Sunday at Wembley would be impossible.

[sandyRoe]

Could the money be passed on to a fund for the victims of the Heysel Stadium tragedy?

[chaptazbru]

Tragedies happen all the time unfortunately, but the Hillsborough tragedy seems to go on and on and anybody daring to have a different take on it gets castigated - Why ???? I know it is hard for the families of those who died just as it is hard for the families of any tragedy, yet people are always getting het up about this one. I personally think Alan Davis had nothing to apologise for and if they don't want his money, then give it to someone who does Alan - there are plenty of charities out there who won't say no!

[joko]

liverpool has many memorials and tributes all over the city on the 15th of april...including one at anfield - the players etc attend...

how can they if they have a game?

it is only a one day delay.

however, i dont think alan davies realises the extent that liverpool commemorates this tragedy... i think his comments would be fair in other circumstances, where anniversarys may pass largely unobserved, but i dont think he realises the extent to which it affects liverpool - if he did i dont think hed have made those comments.

if hillsborough had been a complete 'act of god' accident, there may not be such a citywide outpouring after 23 years, but it was a different situation that is still raw and painful for many.

as for accepting hios donation - if hed given it with sincerety along with a genuine apology id say accept as hes realised his error but his idiotic jokes on twitter - about disguising himself and posting links to a 'scouser' fancy dress outfit - is just making it worse - hes an idiot.

[Messi_Ten]

From racist to professional mourner in a few months, it didn't take Dalglish long to become a scouser.

[tonyav]

Bloody hell, here we go again.