sport news Sheffield Wednesday didn't reveal full findings of safety review into 'crush' ... trends now
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Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield City Council did not reveal the full detail of the findings of a safety review that has led to the capacity of Hillsborough’s Leppings Lane end being reduced.
Newcastle supporters raised concerns following their FA Cup third-round tie on January 7, when 4,500 away fans were in attendance, and provided statements which detailed crushing, overcrowded access points and inadequate crowd management.
This prompted a Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meeting on January 20, chaired by Sheffield City Council. But only now, after a Freedom of Information request made by Newcastle United, is it known that 15 recommendations were made in total, including the removal of a corrugated fence and a review of ticketing errors, with the capacity of the Leppings Lane end subsequently reduced from 4,700 to 3,700.
However, when the football club and city council released a joint statement on February 10, none of the above was mentioned. It was 34 years ago at the same end of the ground that the Hillsborough disaster occurred, claiming the lives of 97 Liverpool fans.
The SAG meeting also heard how supporters felt that ‘21st century fans were attending a ground built in 1913’. Part of the club and council statement from February read: ‘A review at Hillsborough Stadium over concerns about crowd movements has concluded, stating that all aspects of safety at the stadium complied