Source: Telegraph
Uefa's Champions League pledge to Liverpool over Hillsborough anniversary
The anniversary falls on April 15, which is one of the two dates set aside for the second legs of the quarter-finals, the other being the previous day.[LNB]Uefa president Platini has not guaranteed Liverpool will not be asked to play on April 15 but pledged that European's governing body would "do our utmost" to avoid the scenario.[LNB] Related ArticlesGerrard: Uefa must respect Hillsborough wishes[LNB]United given wake-up call[LNB]'Liverpool the best in Europe'[LNB]Liverpool must be allowed to grieve on the 20th anniversary of Hillsborough[LNB]Liverpool great Kenny Dalglish breaks silence over Hillsborough[LNB]United fear more violence in Roma clash[LNB]Uefa today issued a statement reacting to reports claiming they had rejected an appeal by Liverpool to avoid playing on the anniversary date.[LNB]"We are aware of the huge significance of the April 15 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," Platini said.[LNB]"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 April 15 for those who lost their lives at Hillsborough.[LNB]"This being the 20th anniversary of that tragic disaster in 1989 makes it even more relevant and we will take this into account."[LNB]Ninety six people died when Liverpool supporters were crushed at the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough on April 15, 1989, as they attended their team's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.[LNB]A cousin of Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard was among the dead, and the England midfielder has urged Uefa to be sympathetic to the club.[LNB]Gerrard said at the weekend: "We're still waiting to see whether Uefa will make us play on the day. That would be far from ideal given all the emotion that always surrounds the club on that day.[LNB]"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."[LNB]The Champions League quarter-final draw takes place on Friday.[LNB][LNB]
