Liverpool FC ban The Sun journalists from Anfield

Liverpool Football Club have made their dislike of The Sun newspaper very clear by announcing that they will no longer allow their journalists to attend matches.

The new ban stems from The Sun’s critical reporting of the Hillsborough disaster back in 1989, four days after it happened. In a sensationalist article under the headline “The Truth”, the paper claimed that, amongst other things, Liverpool fans had “urinated on brave cops” and even beaten up a policeman who was supposedly giving the kiss of life to an injured supporter.

The paper also refused to feature the landmark case, which resulted in a verdict of unlawful killing regarding the disaster, on their front page. Since then, there have been a number of apologies directed towards the victims’ families (including one, begrudgingly from Kelvin McKenzie, who was editor at the time), but the wounds are too deep and Liverpool are now making a stand. Many shops in the city have, for many years, refused to stock the paper.

Now, campaign group The Total Eclipse of The S*n tweeted: "Further to conversations with LFC directors we are happy to inform you that Sun journalists [will] no longer enjoy access to club premises."

Along with a ticket ban, Sun journos will be denied access to the players themselves, as well as manager Jurgen Klopp, making interviews extremely difficult. Well, impossible, in fact.

The Sun have responded with the following statement:

“The Sun deeply regrets its reporting of the tragic events at Hillsborough and understands the damage caused by those reports is still felt by many in the city. A new generation of journalists on the paper congratulate the families on the hard fought victory they have achieved through the inquest. It is to their credit that the truth has emerged and, whilst we can't undo the damage done, we would like to further a dialogue with the city and to show that the paper has respect for the people of Liverpool.”

They added, "The Sun and Liverpool FC have had a solid working relationship for the 28 years since the Hillsborough tragedy. Whilst we can't undo the damage done, we would like to further a dialogue with the city and to show that the paper has respect for the people of Liverpool. Banning journalists from a club is bad for fans and bad for football."

(Images: Rex)