Hillsborough trial day four: Match commander did not have ‘special powers’, jury told

Hillsborough trial day four: Match commander did not have ‘special powers’, jury told
The police match commander on the day of the Hillsborough disaster did not have special powers to anticipate it and should not be held accountable for the failures of others, a jury’s been told.David Duckenfield denies the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool supporters.3

Mr Duckenfield was appointed match commander less than three weeks before the FA Cup tie

His defence barrister, Benjamin Myers QC, told Preston Crown Court Mr Duckenfield has been relentlessly criticised for things he was not responsible for during the 1989 FA Cup semi-final.The former Chief Superintendent was appointed to the role of match commander less than three weeks before the fixture took place on 15 April.Disaster unfolded by virtue of bad stadium design, bad planning, some aspects of crowd behaviour, some aspects of police behaviour and genuine human error, the jury was told.That does not take away from how “bitterly sad” the incident was, Mr Myers added. Earlier the court heard a man who lost two daughters at Hillsborough was told to shut up when he tried to alert a police officer to the unfolding tragedy.Trevor Hicks’ seat was near the police control box but Sarah and Victoria Hicks were in pen 3 a standing section of the Leppings Lane end.As people began climbing over the fence to escape the crush Mr Hicks believed the police totally misread the situation and thought a pitch invasion was taking place, the court was told.After making his way onto the pitch he found both his daughters laid out, almost side by side. They were later pronounced dead.3

Trevor Hicks lost two daughters, Sarah and Victoria, at the disaster

The prosecution argued the density of the crowd before kick off was obviously into the realm of disaster.That made the failure of match commander David Duckenfield who had a birds-eye view from the police control box more extraordinary, they claimed.Health and Safety Executive analysis estimated the density at the front of pen 3 of the Leppings Lane terrace could have been as high as 10 people per square metre at 3:03pm.This was into the realm of involuntary packing and prevented people controlling their own movement.3

An off-duty police officer who went to the game was carried towards the stadium without his feet touching the ground, the court heard

The jury was shown photos of the crowd pressed up against the pitch perimeter fence, having been warned the images would be distressing.An off-duty police officer who went to the game was carried towards the stadium without his feet touching the ground, it was said.Once in the pen, which was already packed, he was pushed to the front as if on roller skates and was unable to move when he got there, the prosecution told the jury.It was something he had never experienced before.The trial continues.

---

Fans hilariously mock Ligue 1 as Uber Eats becomes French top flight's official sponsor - 'Higuain is on the verge of a move!' Sources telling me Higuain is on the verge of a move to
Fans Mock Ligue 1 After Uber Eats Become French League's

---

Vinnie Jones slams lack of VAR at Swansea after controversial Man City turnaround Incoming could be Aston Villa midfielder Jack Grealish, who Tottenham failed to sign last year, Hull City winger Jarrod Bowen, Valencia midfielder Carlos Soler, and Serbian striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, while Wilfried Zaha is also a target.
UEFA to hold talks with top European clubs over potential
hollywoodadviser.com/uefa-to-hold-talks-with-top-european-clubs-over-potential-changes-to-champions-league/
cl changes The prospect of matches moving to weekends is unlikely, with UEFA ruling out such a proposal despite interest from clubs Talks are due to take place this week between UEFA and some of Europe's top clubs over potential changes to the Champions League.
Birmingham City facing 12-point deduction for breaching FFP

---

Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey and Sokratis Papastathopoulos will miss Arsenal's Europa League game against BATE on Thursday, "The players not in the squad are because Ramsey has not trained with us
Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey not in travelling Arsenal squad

---

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been confirmed as the Manchester United boss this morning. The former striker agreed a three-year contract to lead the Red Devils. Solskjaer left his job managing Molde in
Manchester United continue torrid run of form with heavy

---

More: FootballWilfried Zaha drops Man Utd return hintLove Island: Lucie breaks down in tears over love triangle with Tommy and JoeLove Island gets a new female bombshell in social media influencer Molly-Mae HagueAnd in an interview with the Evening Standard, Zaha did not rule out the possibility when discussing a potential move back to United
Crystal Palace forward opens up on racial abuse and reveals
fussboll.com/2019/06/06/crystal-palace-forward-opens-up-on-racial-abuse-and-reveals-nearly-every-game-im-called-a-monkey-or-a-n/
Wilfred Zaha says he receives racist abuse nearly every week in the Premier League Earlier this year the Ivory Coast forward shared a social media post in which he was called a 'diving monkey', and he's further opened up on the abuse in an interview with The Jackal magazine.

---

Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic and Hoffenheim midfielder

---

'We don't have any players': Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez pleads with owner Mike Ashley to deliver on transfer targets after FA Cup exit. Rafa Benitez is desperate to sign some players before
Rafa Benitez could leave Newcastle United unless these

---

Welcome to the Evening Standard's LIVE blog dedicated to the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip. today's football gossip and the latest from Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, West Ham
Transfer news, rumours and gossip - LIVE!

---

They buckled up for the ride, a meagre 35 per cent of possession on the night and all that mattered was the win. Then as Tottenham Hotspur gathered everything for one last push, that old Champions League assassin Divock Origi, a substitute again, scored the second to kill a final which had barely come alive.
Harry Kane makes vow to Spurs fans after defeat against

---

latest Spurs hope to be playing in their new stadium before the end of the season Tottenham's new stadium will host its first non-footballing event next month with the Topps Swap & Play Tour stopping off at the still unopened £1billion arena.
Tottenham new stadium latest: 'Trepidation' among Spurs
sports.weblife24.com/tottenham-new-stadium-latest-trepidation-among-spurs-players-over-moving-into-1billion-ground-at-key-poin/
Tottenham new stadium latest: 'Trepidation' among Spurs players over moving into £1billion ground at key poin lilywhite worries The Lilywhites will play their first match at the 'Tottenham Hotspur Stadium' against Crystal Palace, on April 3
Tottenham new stadium: Spurs host first test event (VIDEO

---

Home Leagues Chelsea news: Watch incredible video of academy star Reece James at the Toulon Tournament Leagues Chelsea news: Watch incredible video of academy star Reece James at the Toulon Tournament
Chelsea news: Watch incredible video of academy star Reece

---

Six key Lionesses to look out for in Women's World Cup

---

West Ham United are reportedly eyeing a shock move for ex-Liverpool and Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli in January. It's not long since the summer transfer window closed and the Hammers were extremely busy in that one as manager Manuel Pellegrini bolstered his squad with no less than 10 players.
Balotelli linked with shock West Ham switch - Read West Ham

---

Marcus Rashford's future was being discussed on talkSPORT when host Micky Gray stated his belief that the Manchester United star should consider heading to Italy. According to The Times, Juventus are said to be monitoring the 21-year-old after asking officials to check the player's background and character.
Manchester United news and transfers LIVE - Juventus 'make

---