After media reports came out insinuating that Liverpool would be forced to play the second leg of their Champions League Quarter – Final match on Wednesday, April 15th (the 20th Anniversary of the Hillsborough Tragedy), UEFA President Michel Platini issued a statement clarifying their position.

Via UEFA

“We are aware of the huge significance of the 15 April date for both Liverpool FC and their fans, and that is why we will do our utmost to make sure that the club does not have to play its UEFA Champions League second leg quarter-final match on that day,” said Platini.

“I have been in regular correspondence with Liverpool FC on this matter for some time now and fully sympathise with the club’s feelings as to the importance of respecting the date of 15 April for those who lost their lives at Hillsborough. This being the 20th anniversary of that tragic disaster in 1989 makes it even more relevant and we will take this into account,” concluded Platini.

Via Reuters 

“We hope that UEFA show some common sense,” Gerrard, who grew up in Liverpool and lost a cousin in the disaster, told the club’s website (www.liverpoolfc.tv) on Sunday.

“You would think they would accept the significance of the date for the people of Liverpool but unfortunately feelings like that don’t always come into it.”

“It should be a time that Liverpool Football Club remembers the people who were lost and their families.

“Hillsborough is always on my mind because I lost a member of my family there and any success we get as a club this year will be dedicated to those people who lost their lives.”

The disaster happened shortly before Liverpool’s FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest when Liverpool fans packed in behind a goal at Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough ground were crushed to death.

Image via Bp