FA CUP: Hillsborough to be remembered

Matches in the top five divisions of English
football this weekend will kick off seven
minutes later than originally planned in tribute
to the 96 supporters who lost their lives in the
Hillsborough disaster.
The tragedy unfolded at Liverpool's FA Cup
semi-final against Nottingham Forest on 15
April 1989, with the game halted six minutes
after kick-off as players became aware of
events in Sheffield.
The delay in kick-off times for matches taking
place between Friday and Monday recognises
that fact, with a further minute of silence to
follow before games get under way.
This season's FA Cup semi-finals take place
at Wembley on the anniversary weekend and
they too will take part in the tribute.
Arsenal's tie with Wigan on Saturday will now
begin at 5.07pm, while Hull's game against
Sheffield United will kick off at 4.07pm on
Sunday.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits
everyone associated with the club is still
deeply affected by the disaster and he
welcomed the opportunity to pay tribute to
those who died when they play Manchester
City in a crucial Premier League game at
Anfield on Sunday.
"It gives us great commitment and motivation,
of course," said Rodgers.
"We'll get a chance to commemorate
Hillsborough next week. It's going to be a
great atmosphere at the weekend and, of
course, the significance of Hillsborough for the
world is to be marked.
"For us, we carry it every day of our lives here,
as a manager, as players, as the supporters.
Ninety-six people died and the victims of that
and the families are with us every day of our
lives.
"That is one of the huge reasons why we try to
work well to give them that comfort and
support that their team and club is moving
continually forward.
"So this weekend will be huge for that but also
we get the chance to pay our
commemorations in the early part of next
week."