In the year that the truth about Hillsborough was finally uncovered TIBS News looks at three of the highest profile and most poignant tragedies that have dogged the history of sport.
Hillsborough stadium disaster – Sheffield 1989
One of the most documented and reported on events in recent times, the Hillsborough disaster of 1989 remains one of the most high profile disasters in sporting history.
The disaster took place early in an FA cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest and saw 96 Liverpool supporters tragically crushed to death at the Leppings lane end of the stadium.
In the aftermath of the event the fans were blamed for the disaster and in an era that crowd trouble was a huge issue within football.
However after 23 long years of campaigning by the Hillsborough Families Support Group (HFSG) new evidence was released in September of this year which vindicated Liverpool and their followers of any wrong doing.
Not only did it just clear innocent victims, it also crucially placed the blame at the door of the South Yorkshire police who were in charge of security for the game.
Steps will now be taken to pursue charges against the people responsible and the hope for the HFSG is that they can finally achieve justice for the 96.
Ayrton Senna death – San Marino 1994
When Ayrton Senna began the San Marino Grand Prix in May 1994, he was unquestionably the outstanding star of a sport that was enjoying golden era.
He was fully expected to go on and take not only the race victory but the driver’s championship too, what was to follow though, shook Formula One to the core.
As he took the Tamburello corner the three-time champion seemingly lost control of the car and plunged directly into the concrete barrier which was surrounding the track.
Senna was air lifted by helicopter from the track to the Maggiore hospital but all attempts to revive him were unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at 6.40pm.
It was a weekend filled with great sadness following the death of Roland Ratzenberger in qualifying the previous day and, if any positive can be taken from these awful events, it is that the authorities were forced to review the safety elements of the sport.
Ayrton Senna’s death remains to this day the last death to occur in Formula one.
Marc-Vivien Foe death – Cameroon v Columbia 2003
In 2003 Manchester City and Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe was away on international duty in France with his country when a tragic incident occurred.
It came late in the second half of a confederations cup semi-final against South Americans Columbia at Lyon’s Stade De Gerland.
Foe was alone in the middle of the pitch when he collapsed to the turf, for no apparent reason, and began to spasm. It soon became clear though, that he was suffering from a heart related problem
Medics rushed onto the pitch to aid the 28-year-old but he was unable to be resuscitated on the field of play and was stretchered off in order to receive further, more advanced, medical attention.
Despite their best efforts being made by both physios and medics they were unable to revive Foe and the midfielder was confirmed dead almost instantly.
It was an incident that shocked the world of sport but not one that has been in isolation, even as recently as last season the collapse of Bolton’s Fabrice Muamba saw the awareness of the importance of regular screening rise once more.
This time the player survived and was forced into retirement, Marc-Vivien Foe however, was not so lucky.
By Jack Murphy
Twitter: @J_Murphy901
