@robbopalmer@gavinjoneslive Jacquet signing plus the buy-back clause in Quansah deal point to succession planning.
Impossible to “cash in” on Salah last summer as he’d of been a free agent. His extension made perfect sense given he’d likely retain market value to Saudi.
Mohamed Salah is to bring the curtain down on his illustrious career with Liverpool Football Club at the end of the 2025-26 season.
The time to fully celebrate his legacy and achievements will follow later in the year when he bids farewell to Anfield ❤️
Today, as every day, we remember Diogo Jota on what would have been his 29th birthday.
All of our love, thoughts and prayers continue to be with his wife Rute, his children, parents and all of his family and friends, as well as those of his brother, Andre.
Forever in our hearts, forever our number 20 ❤️
Re: that statement by South Yorkshire Police Federation which represents all constables, sergeants, inspectors and chief inspectors within South Yorkshire Police. Policing of games has changed hugely, SYP has obviously changed hugely in personnel and there are doubtless conscientious people there who must be horrified at the content and tone of the Federation statement but clearly, sadly, shamefully, some of the old culture remains.
A read through and reaction to the statement which begins…
“South Yorkshire Police Federation is aware of today’s Independent Office for Police Conduct report into the Hillsborough disaster. The report is a significant waste of taxpayers' time and taxpayers' money.” How heartless and offensive. The Federation should have started its statement with a show of compassion and contrition to the grieving families of the 97 people who died in the Hillsborough disaster.
As for "taxpayers' money", people want to know their taxes are spent on police keeping people safe, not putting them at risk. It's not a “significant waste” of money to have “fundamental failures” (IOPC words) of the police highlighted by a watchdog and naming those who failed in their duties.
“It is not fair or balanced.” What’s “not fair” is that the police tried to blame the victims in 1989. What’s “not fair” is that the families have had no justice. It’s also insulting to the IOPC which spent 13 years on the 366-page report.
“Former police officers - some of whom are very elderly and some who have sadly passed away - do not have any kind of due process or the ability to formally respond to the allegations made in this report.” How callous. Try repeating that line about police officers “some who have sadly passed away” to the Hillsborough families still grieving the loss of loved ones. Was similar sympathy accorded them? No. The families were treated disgracefully after Hillsborough.
“These are opinions of the IOPC essentially being dressed up as statements of almost fact. We emphasise that these are just allegations. Our former colleagues do not have and have not had the right to reply to any accusations.” Stop digging. Were the Hillsborough families given the right to reply to police falsehoods? IOPC reported that 100 more police officer statements after Hillsborough were found to have been amended, making it a total of 327 police officer statements amended. Cover-up writ large.
“They should not face trial by media.” Try telling that to the families who endured trial by sections of the media after Hillsborough.
“It is with this context that we should rightly question the value of this much-delayed report and its multi-million pound cost to the public purse.” Again, thoughtless. Judging by this statement, the Federation focuses on time and money. The families focus on justice.
“This report doesn't help anybody involved in the Hillsborough disaster.” How dare those representing the police presume they – of all people – know what would help the bereaved families? Brave relatives campaign in the memory of their lost loved ones. They are trying to ensure this country never endures a disaster like this again and that the follow-up cover-up is never repeated. Full police accountability would help the families.
This report underlines the importance of the Hillsborough Law which involves “a legal duty of candour on public servants and providing legal aid for victims of state-related deaths and disaster”, the Government says.
The final line of the SYPF statement reads… “Our thoughts remain with all those affected by this terrible tragedy.” Finally. If the Federation had just released this short sentence, and deleted all the preceding self-serving, offensive words, its statement wouldn’t have been so widely criticised. #LFC
Absolutely disgraceful from the South Yorkshire Police Federation & keeping with tradition sadly & shamefully.
They dare to whine about “trial by media” when it was their own secretary in 1989 who spread the lies that weaponised the media against Liverpool fans and was fundamental to the cover up.
And now they have the nerve to demand fairness and balance?
Whoever signed this off should consider their position.
Today could - and should - have been a watershed moment for the 97 and their families.
A moment when, finally, some of those responsible were confronted with the truth they've spent decades avoiding.
Instead, it feels like another missed opportunity. After a 13-year investigation, the IOPC's report is too little, too late.
It tells us nothing the Hillsborough families haven't carried with them for years: that their loved ones were catastrophically failed - and then vilified in a disgraceful cover-up.
The truth remains: 97 innocent people - British citizens - were unlawfully killed. Yet no individual or institution has ever been held accountable through our justice system.
There's been no collective responsibility for the catastrophic failures that led to the disaster.
No reckoning for the officers who shirked their duties and led a campaign to blame Liverpool supporters. And no closure for the families who've fought with dignity, strength and courage. Justice remains agonisingly out of reach.
The legacy of the 97 must now be justice in law. The Hillsborough Law - currently progressing through Parliament - would help ensure that no other bereaved families are ever forced to endure such a prolonged, unconscionable ordeal.
Liverpool have contacted the BBC today to register their fury over their use of disgraced former newspaper editor Kelvin McKenzie as part of their coverage.
Peter Scarfe from Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance: "It's insulting and it's offensive."
https://t.co/Ubuj09P9sv