The Football Association have expressed their "deep and ongoing sadness" to the families affected by the Hillsborough football tragedy and have insisted that the game is "much safer" than that of 23 years ago.
Previous unseen documents were released yesterday claiming that the South Yorkshire police had altered around 164 statements in order to shift the blame away from the authorities and onto the Liverpool fans, who lost 96 supporters in a crush at the Leppings Lane end during an FA Cup semi-final clash between the Merseyside club and Nottingham Forest in 1989.
A statement read: "The FA would like to commend the Hillsborough Independent Panel for their exhaustive and professional work. We welcome the publication of the report and the subsequent comments of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition.
"The FA reiterates its deep and ongoing sadness at the dreadful events that unfolded on 15 April 1989. For 23 years the families have suffered unbearable pain, and we have profound sympathy for this.
"The FA has cooperated fully with the Panel throughout this process and has released all documentation in line with their request."
The English governing body went on to say that safety has improved since the disaster and the game has changed.
"The FA and English football has changed immeasurably, and has learnt many lessons in the last 23 years. Through advancements in safety & investment in facilities English football is now a much safer, more welcoming environment for supporters," it added.
The report also revealed that up to 41 of the people who died could potentially have been saved given the right emergency care.
Danielle Joynson
