Roberto Martinez backs late kickoffs

Everton manager Roberto Martinez has backed the decision to kick off this weekend's games seven minutes late as a tribute to the victims of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.

Liverpool's match with Nottingham Forest was called off at 3.06pm on April 15 that year following a crush in the stands that killed 96 Reds supporters.

Martinez said that it was a good gesture that allows Everton and the rest of the football community to show their support to the families of the victims.

"It's a very important gesture," BBC Sport quotes Martinez as saying. "For us it's an important week, in terms of showing our respect and giving all the support we can to the families and to be all together in this moment."

Everton are currently fifth in the Premier League, just a point behind Arsenal.