Painful anniversary of the Heysel tragedy: Juventus remembers the 39 who died

The Juventus this Wednesday remembered the 39 fans who died in the tragedy at the Belgian stadium in Heyselwhich took place only 39 years ago, in the final of European Cup of 1985 between the Italian team and the Liverpool.

“A wound that continues to ache, a tragedy, a dramatic memory for those who lost loved ones and for the entire Juventino world,” the Turin club recalled in an official statement.

“The time of memory at this time is linked in its inevitable passing to a number that has always been associated with that day: 39 years have passed since that afternoon in Brussels” he added.

In the Belgian stadium Heyselbefore the European Cup final, one of the biggest tragedies in football occurred when Liverpool’s most radical fans took action against Juventinos.

Forced to protect themselves against the wall where the stands ended and against the protective fence that separated them from the field of play, the Italians suffered the pressure of the thrust of thousands of people and died in irritation or crushing.

Of the 39 victims, 32 were fans of ‘Juventus’ -among them a 10-year-old boy-, 4 Belgians, 2 French and 1 Irish.

“Thirty-nine. The memory remains clear and painful: a Champions Cup final that continues to cause horror, anger and pain, where 39 people lost their lives in crazy incidents before the match,” commented the Juventus.

“Thirty-nine. A number that has become a symbol, that says more than any words the suffering we continue to carry inside. So we are with the families in remembering the innocent victims, who are with us . since that day, without forgetting the drama, always alive, of that day,” the club said.

The match, which was delayed by 1 hour and a half late, ended in a good victory for Juventus with the only goal, from eleven meters, by the Frenchman. Michel Platini.