Liverpool fans slam Topman’s ‘sick and offensive’ 96 shirt
Fury over ‘links to Hillsborough’
A RED top emblazoned with 96 and “what goes around comes back around” has been pulled by Topman amid claims it mocked Hillsborough victims.
Dozens of people tweeted the store to complain about the “sick and offensive” top, which had “karma” on one sleeve, a white rose through the 6 and two more on the otherwise blank front. There was no suggestion Topman deliberately referred to the 96 Liverpool fans killed in the Sheffield football stadium tragedy on April 15, 1989. The store said the £20 T-shirt was a tribute to the 1967 Bob Marley track What Goes Around Come Around, re-released in 1996.
But Louise Brookes, whose brother Andrew was among those who died at Hillsborough, said the words were used by rival fans who called the tragedy “God’s punishment” for the 1985 Heysel disaster, when 39 died at a game involving Liverpool.
She added: “It was in Liverpool red. I just think there are too many coincidences. “We’re four weeks away from the 29th anniversary. “Our 96 did nothing wrong. How would people feel if it was their loved ones being mocked?” A Reds campaign group said: “Topman what are you playing at? Are you totally ignorant?” Wirral South MP Alison McGovern also slammed the “very unfortunate” top. Topman apologised, adding: “The design was inspired by a Bob Marley track with the number referring to the year of re-release. It has been removed from sale.”