Offensive Topman ’96’ t-shirt removed from sale after complaint from Liverpool fans

A shirt from Topman has upset a lot of Liverpool fans and has forced the retail clothing chain to remove it amidst criticism it may refer to the Hillsborough disaster.

According to the Liverpool ECHO

, the red shirt with a large number 96 is being seen by some Liverpool fans as a reference to the club’s kit and a number of victims killed in the 1989 disaster. There is a rose with words: “What goes around comes back around”. The dazzling red has the slogan “KARMA” down the sleeve.

96 people died at Hillsborough in 1989 when Liverpool fans were crushed at the start of an FA Cup semi-final match. Louise Brookes, whose brother Andrew died in the tragedy, said the red colour, the rose and the number 96 are all symbols of the disastrous Hillsborough incident.

“I really do believe it is something to do with Hillsborough,” Mrs Brookes told BBC.

“I would like it removed from sale and I do want [Topman] to explain how this shirt came about and what the thinking was.

“Our 96 were decent human beings who did nothing wrong. How would people feel if it was their loved ones being mocked?”

However, the Liverpool ECHO now claim that the item has been withdrawn from the website, with the message: “Sorry your search didn’t match any products” appearing in its place.

While Liverpool fans are upset with the Topman clothing, some suggest that the top was a reference to a Bob Marley classic remixed in 1996.

Whatever Topman thought before designing the shirt, it has really hurt the sentiments of our fans and everyone are waiting for them to comment on it.