World Cup tributes to fans killed in MH17 plane crash
COUNCILLOR TO LIGHT A CANDLE FOR TRAGIC LIAM AND JOHN
Reporter CANDLES will be lit in Russia during this summer’s World Cup to remember the two Newcastle United fans killed in the MH17 plane outrage.
Rob Higgins plans to travel to cathedrals in Moscow and St Petersburg to light candles in memory of John Alder and Liam Sweeney, who were among the 298 people who died when the Malaysia Airlines flight was shot down over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014.
The staunch Magpies and England fan, who is a Labour councillor for Benwell and Scotswood, says the gesture is intended to recognise the grief felt by football fans across the world over the disaster.
In May, international investigators announced that the missile system that brought down the Amsterdam-Kuala Lumpur flight came from a Russia-based military unit, though Russia has always denied involvement in the incident.
Coun Higgins said: “I always believe that there is a sense of comradeship and fellowship between football fans across the world. I am always pleased to see how football can bring people together at these tournaments, even when there might be some animosity between politicians from different nations.
“Even though there will be a minority of fans looking for trouble and we are all being told that we are going to be attacked by hooligans, I always find that the majority of football fans are well intentioned towards each other.
“I think most fans in Russia will feel just as we do about what happened to John and Liam, so this is a bit of a show of solidarity from me.”
The two football fans, aged 28 and 63, were on their way to watch NUFC’s pre-season tour of New Zealand when the plane was shot down almost four years ago.
Liam’s dad Barry, from Killingworth, said he was pleased that fellow football fans would be remembering his son during the World Cup.
After Russia was formally accused of destroying the MH17 jet, Mr Sweeney said an admission from the Russian government would help families like his move on - but says he has “nothing against the people of Russia”.
Coun Higgins will be flying to Volgograd for England’s opening game of the World Cup on June 18 against Tunisia, and will be travelling to St Petersburg and Moscow before later taking in the Three Lions’ remaining group matches.
Amid fears over hooliganism and the fractious relationship between Britain and Russia following the Salisbury nerve agent attack, Coun Higgins has not been put off following England to the World Cup.
He said: “I went to Poland and Ukraine for the Euros, where we were told there would be all these racist gangs waiting for us. At the Brazil World Cup we were going to be attacked in drug-filled favelas. It never materialised, despite what the tabloids had said.
“The important thing as a travelling fan is to respect the traditions of the country you are in, and that is irrespective of the political relationships your country might have with them.”
And he is optimistic about England’s chances, despite previous disappointments.
Coun Higgins said: “I always travel in hope. As a staunch Newcastle supporter, I think we would have been better of taking Jonjo Shelvey and possibly Jamaal Lascelles as well.”