MP calls for FA punishment over Hillsborough

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 22 October 2012

Labour MP Steve Rotheram launches a scathing attack on the FA and calls for them to be punished for their role in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

Labour MP Steve Rotheram has passionately called for the FA to be held accountable for the "deadly decisions" they made which led to the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

Attorney General Dominic Grieve last week confirmed that fresh inquests into the 96 deaths would be considered after a cover-up was revealed by the September publication of the Hillsborough Independent Panel report.

Rotheram has also insisted that a full inquiry should be launched to discover why the organisation chose the Sheffield venue to host Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, despite it not having a valid safety certificate.

Mr Rotheram told a parliamentary debate: "[The FA] knew that Hillsborough didn't have a valid safety certificate, yet they were still adamant the game had to be played at that stadium.

"If they had not insisted that the game had to be played there, the fans that died would still be alive.

"They must now face the full force of the law for their deadly decisions that they made at that time."

Rotheram's fellow Labour MP, Andy Burnham added that "football must be forced to face up to its responsibilities in the inquiries to come".