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PFA chief compares Evans case to Hillsborough

The head of the Professional Footballers' Association, Gordon Taylor, has sparked fresh controversy in the Ched Evans case by comparing the footballer's situation with the families of those who died at Hillsborough.

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Hillsborough researcher slams Taylor's 'crass error of judgement'

Professor Phil Scraton, the lead researcher and primary author of the Hillsborough independent panel report, said in an interview Mr Taylor should apologise to victims' families and survivors for a "crass error of judgment".

Professor Phil Scraton said in an interview Mr Taylor should apologise to victims' families and survivors for a "crass error of judgment". Credit: Peter Byrne/PA Wire

And he suggested the comments could amount to "interference with the due process" of fresh inquests into the fans' deaths.

To conflate this with the institutional failings and demonstrable injustices (of Hillsborough) is crass, it's insensitive and it's inappropriate," he said in an interview.

It's particularly of concern that he chooses to make this statement when he knows only too well, as we all do, that the inquests that have been running since March and will run for at least another year are in process.

And we have very clear guidelines from the coroner about the publication and broadcast of comments regarding liability in relation to Hillsborough.

So on both counts - the comparison, which is completely inappropriate and also the kind of interference with the due process which is happening at the moment - it is a crass error of judgment. "There should be a retraction of his comments and it should be accompanied by an apology to the Hillsborough families and also the Hillsborough survivors for any offence that he might have caused.

– Phil Scraton
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PFA chief compares Evans case to Hillsborough

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