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.

---

Aaron Ramsey 'feels all Arsenal', says Unai Emery after Juventus-bound midfielder scores against Napoli The Welshman opened the scoring in a 2-0 Europa League quarter-final first leg win on
Aaron Ramsey 'feels all Arsenal', says Unai Emery after
fussboll.com/2019/04/12/aaron-ramsey-feels-all-arsenal-says-unai-emery-after-juventus-bound-midfielder-scores-against-napoli/
Juventus-bound midfielder Aaron Ramsey 'feels all Arsenal', says Unai Emery. The Arsenal manager was speaking after watching the player score in the club's 2-0 Europa League quarter-final first leg win over Napoli on Thursday.
Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey Rejected Unai Emery's Advice Before

---

Gonzalo Higuain Chelsea number: A brief history of the cursed number nine shirt at Stamford Bridge. Many great strikers have tried to tame the curse before Higuain and failed
Gonzalo Higuain Chelsea number: A brief history of the cursed

---

David de Gea should be dropped from the Manchester United starting line-up. That's the view of former United boss David Moyes, who feels back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero deserves his chance between the sticks following a number of high-profile mistakes from the Spaniard - his latest in last weekend's 1-1 draw with Chelsea.
David Moyes - talkSPORT

---

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah insists he doesn't dive and suggests VAR will prove it next season Wednesday, 1 May 2019 ( 3 weeks ago ) Mohamed Salah has rubbished the diving accusations which have been levelled against him this season.
Liverpool news: 'Mohamed Salah has previous but he didn't

---

A message to Richard Keys - Rafa Benitez has more important things to spend his money on. Keys claimed Benitez should "spend some of his own money" to help Newcastle in the transfer window over
'Embarrassing' - Newcastle fans ridicule Richard Keys after

---

Chelsea news and transfers recap: Hazard talks with Real Madrid collapse, star to sign new deal Football.London 00:39 In the last 8 hours Real Madrid agree €100m deal with Chelsea for Eden Hazard, transfer could be announced within…

---

PARODY In 2012, the Northern Irish boss famously told his Liverpool players three of them would let him down in the season ahead and their names were written down in envelopes A parody Brendan Rodgers account has been involved in a hilarious Twitter exchange with the Royal Mail - and it's not for the first
Kepa Arrizabalaga: Chelsea star 'told Willy Caballero he was
gistjunction.com/2019/02/27/kepa-arrizabalaga-chelsea-star-told-willy-caballero-he-was-better-goalkeeper-in-alleged-dressing-room-row/
Kepa Arrizabalaga is reported to have told Willy Caballero he is the better goalkeeper in a dressing room row that took place following Chelsea's Carabao Cup final defeat by Manchester City.
21 May 2019 News Archive | Daily Mail Online | Daily Mail Online

---

Vincent Kompany named John Hartson as the toughest striker he has ever faced in a Q&A session with fans. The Manchester City captain was posed with a series of questions from fans by sports
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany names Celtic legend

---

Pep Guardiola makes Premier League title vow after Man City's shock defeat at Newcastle. Liverpool have the chance to move seven points clear of Man City at the top of the Premier League table
Pep Guardiola predicts when Manchester City's title race with

---

Southampton striker Charlie Austin was driving his Bentley near the club's stadium when he collided with cyclist Anthony Grey, who needed a five-hour operation to be able to walk again.
Rep. Justin Amash's official Freedom Caucus exit is yet

---

Vinnie Jones explains how his Hollywood career was sparked by Iain Dowie and rejection at QPR April 8, 2019 Susan D Benoit; Everton 1-0 Arsenal: Toffees boss Marco Silva says 'main man' Dominic Calvert-Lewin is improving in every match he plays April 8, 2019 Susan D Benoit
Vinnie Jones - talkSPORT

---

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer warns Manchester United squad to meet his standards or receive 'hairdryer treatment'. on Saturday when they come up against his former side Cardiff City in Wales

---