Ex-Fifa official suggests drastic new action as FA launch Newcastle United fan probe
Keith Hackett has insisted he expects the authorities to explore every possible action after Newcastle United fans reported overcrowding in the Leppings Lane End during their trip to Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday (8 January).
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Fifa and Premier League referee suggested he would have “personally” liked to see the stand “demolished and rebuilt” following the Hillsborough disaster in 1989.
According to Sky Sports (9 January), the FA will speak to officials at Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle as well as South Yorkshire Police after reports of dangerous overcrowding during the FA Cup tie on Saturday.
The report claims Magpies fans also voiced their concerns at a lack of stewards on duty in the away end of the ground.
A crush in the same stand in 1989 caused the deaths of 97 Liverpool fans – and resulted in all major stadiums in England being converted to an all-seater model.
Saturday’s game finished 2-1 to Sheffield Wednesday, with a brace from Josh Windass cancelling out a controversial Bruno Guimaraes goal.
Hackett told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I’ve never stood in the Leppings Lane end.
“But you can never forget the impact of the Hillsborough disaster.
“I’m sure the police and authorities would have taken great care with the restructure of that area given what happened on that day.
“However, a personal view – given what happened on that day, I personally would have liked to have seen that stand demolished and rebuilt.
“If there is some concern about overcrowding and safety then it must be investigated, and all possible action explored.
“From what I saw, the upper tier seemed to have a good amount of space available – so it must be the lower part which is causing the problem.”
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