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Choice of Hillsborough Stadium for the 1989 FA Cup Semi-Final

  1. The evidence clearly indicates that the choice of the stadium to host the 1989 Semi-Final was made by the FA. The choice was based on geographical location and the perceived suitability of the stadium. Hillsborough Stadium had been used to host an FA Cup Semi-Final in both the previous two years, and these were viewed as having been successful by the FA, SWFC and SYP.
     
  2. When the FA selected Hillsborough Stadium as the venue for the 1989 FA Cup Semi-Final, none of the authorities raised any objections or concerns.
     
  3. SYP did have some input into the decision. When Hillsborough Stadium was proposed by the FA as a possible venue for a Semi-Final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, Mr Mackrell contacted Ch Supt Mole to ask if SYP would be willing to police the match. Ch Supt Mole made it clear that SYP would only agree if the same fundamental arrangements for the allocation of areas of the stadium were applied as had been used at the 1988 Semi-Final between the same teams. This was to facilitate the segregation of opposing supporters.
     
  4. This meant that the Liverpool supporters would be allocated the West Terrace, North West Terrace, West Stand and North Stand, reflecting their likely routes to the ground. However, it also meant that Liverpool would receive fewer tickets overall than Nottingham Forest, despite having higher average crowds, and that all Liverpool supporters would be required to enter the ground through the turnstiles at the Leppings Lane end.
     
  5. The then Secretary of Liverpool Football Club, Peter Robinson, asked the FA if it could change this allocation of ends so that more tickets would be available to Liverpool supporters. SYP refused and would not agree to policing the game if the arrangement was changed. This was accepted by the FA. Nottingham Forest supporters were allocated 27,754 tickets for the match, including 21,000 for the Spion Kop terrace. Liverpool supporters were allocated 23,542 tickets, including 10,100 for standing areas (7,200 on the West Terrace and 2,900 on the North West Terrace).
     
  6. The number of standing tickets allocated to Liverpool supporters matched that on the Safety Certificate, but as has been made clear, the permitted capacity of the West Terrace was based on flawed calculations. It should have been reassessed and potentially reduced once the additional fences were installed.