Liverpool FC ban for Sun journalists over Hillsborough

Liverpool FC has banned Sun journalists from its grounds over the newspaper's coverage of the Hillsborough disaster.

The paper has been widely boycotted in the city and the ban follows a campaign by the Total Eclipse of The S*n group.

Its journalists will no longer be allowed on site to cover matches and news conferences.

The Sun said the move was "bad for fans and bad for football". The club declined to comment.

The Total Eclipse of The S*n group tweeted: "Further to conversations with LFC directors we are happy to inform you that Sun journalists [will] no longer enjoy access to club premises."

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Paul Collins, from the campaign group, said the club joins Liverpool City Council, pubs, newsagents, and "a long list" of others who support a boycott.

"We are delighted another institution has taken a stance against the Sun newspaper," he said.

"Some people put up stickers, there is a barber shop which won't allow people in with it, a community centre put up a brass plaque saying they boycott it.

"People take whatever stance they can. A lot of people share our view."

All 96 fans who died as a result of a crush at Hillsborough were unlawfully killed, inquests concluded in April.

Attitudes against the Sun among Liverpool supporters have hardened since the inquests into the Hillsborough tragedy concluded last year that the 96 fans who died were unlawfully killed.

Campaigns to urge shops in Liverpool not to stock the newspaper have intensified and the club had seen how well they were received.

Their relationship with the Sun has been distant, ever since those damning 'The Truth' headlines.

Nevertheless, denying a national paper complete access to matches and press conference is a big step.

This would not have been taken without consultation between the club and the Hillsborough families.

In practical terms, Sun reporters will be able to watch the broadcast section of manager Jurgen Klopp's weekly press conferences as they are broadcast on the club's website.

However, they will not, obviously, be able to ask questions, nor will they have any access to the briefing reserved solely for the print media.

A spokesman for the paper said it "deeply regrets" its reporting of the disaster and understands the damage caused was still felt by many in the city.

"The Sun and Liverpool FC have had a solid working relationship for the 28 years since the Hillsborough tragedy.

"While we can't undo the damage done, we would like to further a dialogue with the city and to show that the paper has respect for the people of Liverpool.

"Banning journalists from a club is bad for fans and bad for football."

The newspaper said this was a "new generation of journalists" who congratulated the families on their hard-fought victory for justice.

Mr Collins said: "The idea that the Sun has moved on doesn't wash with the people of Liverpool".

Who were the 96 victims?