Article by Lauren Black @LaurenBlack9
On this day in 1985 Juventus overcame Liverpool to 1-0 to win the European cup but there were no winners on a night of tragedy. Michele Platini was the hero for Juventus that night scoring the only goal of the game, a penalty, in the 58th minute of play but as Juventus were celebrating, the death toll was adding up.
Liverpool dominated the first half of that match but 10 minutes in to the second half Juventus were awarded a penalty after Gary Gillespie brought down Boniek a yard outside the area. Michele Platini stepped up and gave Juventus the lead.
A number of fans were trying to flea from trouble inside the stadium when the were crushed between a railing and a wall. Hundreds of people were injured and 39 spectators lost their lives. Juventus won the game but held off on any over the top celebrations choosing to only parade the trophy to half of the stadium. After the tragedy that occurred that night how could anyone celebrate winning a football match when a large number of spectators where not returning home from the game.
Juventus finally took home the European cup after three attempts but as they celebrated, the sporting world mourned the death of 39 spectators. The European Federation, UEFA and the British FA tried to decide if England should voluntarily withdrawal from all European competitions for a number of years. It turned out that English clubs could not compete in Europe for five years, Liverpool received a six-year ban.
Coming so soon after the Bradford fire disaster made it hard for a lot of people to come to terms with the events that unfolded that day. The 39 who lost their lives will always be remembered.
Article by Lauren Black @LaurenBlack9