Sky Sports commentator Martin Tyler has "wholeheartedly" apologised for any misunderstanding after referencing Hillsborough and hooliganism in the same sentence.
Tyler, 76, mentioned the Hillsborough disaster and hooliganism while discussing the formation of the Premier League on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday morning. This month marks 30 years since the Premier League's inaugural campaign got underway.
Tyler has been Sky Sports' lead commentator on Premier League coverage since its formation, commentating on their first ever live game. The prestigious competition returns on Friday evening for its 31st campaign, with Patrick Vieira's Crystal Palace welcoming Mikel Arteta's Arsenal to Selhurst Park. Tyler is expected to be part of their commentary team.
"This morning while discussing various crises facing football 30 years ago, I referred to some examples including the Hillsborough disaster and also controversy over hooliganism at matches," explained Tyler shortly after his live interview with the BBC.
"These are two separate issues. There is no connection at all between the Hillsborough disaster and hooliganism - I know that, and I was not implying that there was. I apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for any misunderstanding."
The Hillsborough disaster was a human crush that led to the unlawful deaths of 97 fans at the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in April 1989. Police failures, stadium design faults and a delayed response by the ambulance service was to blame for the tragedy - not hooliganism.
Liverpool fans campaigned for years to establish the truth behind the disaster after being initially blamed. They had to wait until April 2016 for an inquest to conclude fans played no part. To this day, no one has served prison time in connection to the disaster.
Tyler was asked to recall the first Premier League game to be shown live on Sky Sports when the incident occurred. "It was very pioneering," he said. "We didn't know quite what the league - the change in structure of the league - how that would work.
"We certainly didn't know how satellite television - as it was called in those days - would work. But it was a great adventure and 3,000 live matches later - not all commentated by me thankfully for the public - it does seem it worked."
But Tyler went on to say unchallenged: "You've got to remember football was in a bit of a crisis at that time. We weren't that long after Hillsborough and other hooligan-related issues as well, so it was very much a difficult time for the game generally."
Tyler was criticised by Mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotherham for his comments. "Exceptionally crass comments from Martin Tyler on BBC Radio 4 - a man who should know much better," tweeted Rotherham. "Even now, people whose careers are built on football still spread these foul smears. I hope there'll be an apology sharpish."
The BBC has since expressed its regret at not challenging Tyler. "We regret that we did not robustly challenge Martin Tyler on a comment which appeared to link Hillsborough and hooliganism," said a BBC spokesperson. "Martin has since apologised for the comment and clarified that these were separate examples and he did not intend to conflate the two."
