Liverpool have made the decision to ban The Sun newspaper from its Anfield stadium.
The Sun is not exactly the most popular paper in the city, with many citizens boycotting it since the Hillsborough disaster of 1989.
The decision comes due to the paper’s coverage of the events on that tragic day, in which 96 people lost their lives.
In addition, The Sun is also banned from Liverpool’s Melwood training ground.
The Sun will not be permitted to report on the club’s matches from Anfield and be given no access to interview players or the manager, Jürgen Klopp. The decision is understood to have been taken by Liverpool’s Boston-based owners, led by the financier John Henry, after club executives had discussions with families of the victims.
Bereaved families, survivors and supporters have never forgiven the Sun for its coverage four days after the disaster, in which it ran extremely damaging allegations about Liverpool supporters’ behaviour under the headline ‘The Truth’, which are now established to have been false, told by unnamed South Yorkshire police officers.
Since the tragedy, The Sun was allowed to cover Liverpool matches and press conferences, but were not allowed exclusive interviews with Reds managers or players.
Liverpool sources confirmed that the decision had been taken to ban the newspaper, but said the club will not be making an official comment.
A spokesman for the paper said it “deeply regrets” its reporting and understands the damage caused was still felt by many in the city.
“The Sun and Liverpool FC have had a solid working relationship for the 28 years since the Hillsborough tragedy.
“Whilst 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.”
By Steve Osborne @BlizzardSteve75
