Company prints Hillsborough slur

[elkopite]

A sports store chain has overhauled its policy on personalising football shirts after one was sold bearing a slogan mocking the Hillsborough Disaster.

Sports Direct printed a Manchester United top with "96" and "Not Enough" on, and an insult about Liverpudlians.

the shirt actually said "Y.S.B. (you scouse bastards) 96 NOT ENOUGH

The company apologised and said "with immediate effect" shirts would only be printed with current footballers' names and numbers on.

The employee who took the order did not realise the insult, the firm added.

A man paid £55 for the shirt, from one of the company's 470 stores, with the reference to the 96 Liverpool fans who died at the Hillsborough stadium on 15 April 1989.

The supporters were crushed to death during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest at the stadium in Sheffield.

It is an absolute disgrace and Sports Direct should be ashamed

Margaret Aspinall, Hillsborough Family Support Group
The insult came to light when images of the shirt were posted on the social networking site, Facebook.

The man's Facebook page has since been shut down.

Despite Sports Direct claiming the employee took the order "unknowingly", families of Hillsborough victims have said they are appalled.

Chairman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James died, said: "I think Sports Direct are worse than the guy who wanted it put on the back of his shirt.

"Printing that message is like inciting trouble, it is an absolute disgrace and Sports Direct should be ashamed.

"It's 20 years down the line and I don't believe it possible someone printing football shirts wouldn't know what the message meant.

"Fans can go too far in their rivalry towards other clubs, and this is way over the line."

The sports chain is owned by Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley.

A company spokesman said: "As a result, Sports Direct has taken immediate action and changed the administration policy for printing football shirts across its store network."


sourceBBC NEWS | England | Merseyside | Company prints Hillsborough slur

 

[Munkey]

I'm not in the least bit surprised that a ManYoo fan could say such a despicable thing. Shame on Sports direct for printing the t-shirt in the first place, lets see if Liverpool fans boycott the store.

 

[digidude]

"It's 20 years down the line and I don't believe it possible someone printing football shirts wouldn't know what the message meant.

why does everyone assume that the whole world knows about football, i wouldnt have had the faintest idea that printing that on a shirt had any meaning at all

football bores the crap outta me, and it cracks me up to see fully grown men get so aggressive over some overpaid poofs chasing a ball around a field

eat football, sleep football, yawn, no ta

 

[liambalfour]

im a big follower of football but the message that got printed i wouldnt have realised the meaning, i would have assumed it to be tropheys and more wanted, obviously im from glasgow and this type of thing happenss about religion on football tops and the people printing them are order taking and not looking for a sinester meaning.

 

[bro]

I'm not in the least bit surprised that a ManYoo fan could say such a despicable thing. Shame on Sports direct for printing the t-shirt in the first place, lets see if Liverpool fans boycott the store.

to be honest i wouldnt be surprised if supporters from any other team saying despicable stuff like than so thinks its unfair to single united fans out but would of expected that from you having a hate for Manchester United

 

[ManofScience]

typical - the store gets the blame. how were they supposed to know?

i worked in a sports shop in the late 90's as a footwear specialist and was the only 1 trained to use the heat press for transfering numbers on to football shirts - i wouldn't have made the connection.

 

[witchy]

im a big follower of football but the message that got printed i wouldnt have realised the meaning, i would have assumed it to be tropheys and more wanted, obviously im from glasgow and this type of thing happenss about religion on football tops and the people printing them are order taking and not looking for a sinester meaning.

My sis-in-law wanted 'SPANKY' written on a Rangers top as that's her sons nickname, the shop (JJB Sports) refused to do it as they said it was sectarian.

Work that one out. :err:

Back to the original post, an honest mistake by the store in my eyes, it's the scum football fan that should be named and shamed.

 

[davidh]

to be honest i wouldnt be surprised if supporters from any other team saying despicable stuff like than so thinks its unfair to single united fans out but would of expected that from you having a hate for Manchester United

singling a man u fan out
it was a man utd fan that done it

i know we have banter about football
and i admit i hate utd
but i wouldnt go around with munich 58 slur on my back
or post it on a social networking site either

 

[bro]

singling a man u fan out
it was a man utd fan that done it

i know we have banter about football
and i admit i hate utd
but i wouldnt go around with munich 58 slur on my bvack
or post it on a social networking site either

maybe you wont but i WOULDNT be surprised if a liverpoo fan did

 

[Curly]

I too think it was an honest mistake by the store employee.
Yes it was 20 years ago and I'm old enough to remember it well, but most sales assistants in that type of store barely look older than 20.
I personally would have realised the "96" connection, but would not have guessed what Y. S. B. stood for, could have been anything.

It's the arsehole that wanted that on his shirt who should be ashamed.


Curly

 

[stevie1ball]

Think this is turning into a Man U - Liverpool banter post
The purpose of the original post was the DISRESPECT that the buyer had for the families and friends of those lost in the " 96 " irrespective of what football club they were there to support.

The shop cannot be totally to blame for this but there apology would be recognised.

God bless all the families of the " 96 " and may they all rest in peace x x x

 

[mozr]

I remember going to maine road and all the city fans doing the airplane on derby day.

Seriously, who gives a shit?

Or are we all offended?

 

[Munkey]

to be honest i wouldnt be surprised if supporters from any other team saying despicable stuff like than so thinks its unfair to single united fans out but would of expected that from you having a hate for Manchester United

lol bro, hate for utd? I rather like them. Now don't be making stuff up.

It's a rather common theme for your fans to make jokes regarding Hillsborough which are tasteless.

 

[srgberian]

Tbh wots the differnce between this and the MUNICH song that liverpool fans sing?

 

[mozr]

Look at this.

Sick American bastards!