Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has given his support to the families of the 96 Hillsborough victims after a jury concluded that the Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed in the 1989 disaster.
After hearing two years of evidence, nine jurors decided that the South Yorkshire Police made errors in their planning and management for the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough Stadium, where the tragedy occurred.
It was concluded by the jury that the police commander on the day, David Duckenfield, was guilty of gross negligence and that the fans themselves are not to blame for the crush that occurred in the Leppings Lane end.
Rooney, who played for Liverpool's Merseyside rivals Everton before joining United in 2004, expressed his relief after the jury delivered its conclusions.
The striker tweeted: "At last justice for the 96 and their families. Well done to all who never gave up #jft96."
The 1991 inquests delivered a conclusion of accidental deaths, but fresh inquests were ordered when allegations of a police cover-up came to light in 2012.
Danielle Joynson
