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LIVERPOOL FC MARKED THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HEYSEL STADIUM DISASTER ON THURSDAY MORNING BY PAYING ITS RESPECTS TO THE 39 PEOPLE WHO TRAGICALLY LOST THEIR LIVES 12:32, 29 May 2025
Liverpool FC marked the 40th anniversary of the Heysel Stadium disaster on Thursday morning by paying its respects to the 39 people who tragically lost their lives. Reds legend John Aldridge
was accompanied by Jonathan Bamber, the club's chief legal and external affairs officer, to lay a floral wreath at the Heysel memorial plaque outside Anfield. Liverpool's chief
executive Billy Hogan and club ambassador Ian Rush will also attend the unveiling of Verso Altrove sculpture in Turin on Thursday, after the club was invited by Juventus to join their 40th
anniversary service. “I am honoured to stand in unity alongside Juventus at their memorial in Turin today and look forward to welcoming Juventus to Anfield later this summer for the official
unveiling of our new memorial," Reds chief Hogan said. "We will also be marking the anniversary today at Anfield honouring the 39 supporters who tragically lost their lives at
Heysel, 40 years ago." The disaster occurred ahead of the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus on May 29, 1985, in Block Z of the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, Belgium.
Thirty-nine people lost their lives and hundreds more were injured in the tragedy. Juventus’ new Heysel memorial, Verso Altrove - which was designed by artist Luca Vitone - is set in a
two-thousand-square-metre green space near the Allianz Stadium. It features Ginko Biloba trees, lavender bushes and a 65-metre spiral platform rising over three metres, the structure
includes a neon light along its path, making it visible in darkness. The event in Turin follows on from Liverpool's recent announcement of a newly-designed Heysel memorial, which will
be installed to mark the 40th anniversary. Known as 'Forever Bound', the official unveiling will take place at Anfield later this summer out of respect for Juve's own plans
around the anniversary of the European Cup final disaster. The new memorial will replace the existing plaque on the wall of the Sir Kenny Dalglish Stand and will be relocated to a more
visible and accessible area of the stadium, offering a dedicated space for reflection and remembrance. The final location is currently being decided in consultation with key stakeholders,
with further details to be confirmed. Legendary striker Rush, who witnessed the events in 1985, added: “To see a new memorial created with such care means a lot and it’s incredibly important
to have a fitting tribute to remember the 39 fans who lost their lives. "We must never forget why this matters, and why we continue to stand together in solidarity, all these years
later.” Article continues below Liverpool legal chief Bamber said: "The Heysel disaster is a significant chapter in our history, and one which we must never forget. It’s important that
we honour those who lost their lives with a memorial that reflects the depth of our respect and remembrance.” ‘Forever Bound’ was created following a request from Reds fans to renew the
memorial and make it more accessible and prominent at Anfield, say Liverpool. Following a review of the current memorial and location, club officials decided a newly-designed memorial to
honour those who lost their lives would be fitting. Plans were then shared with Juventus FC and the families who lost loved ones on the day 40 years ago.