In what was a huge week for Liverpool FC – as well as the British justice system – Villarreal added their own tribute last Thursday. And the Reds’ Europa League opponents will again honour the Hillsborough victims in tomorrow night’s semi-final second leg at Anfield.
During what was a tight and tactical first leg – which Villarreal won 1-0 thanks to a late Adrian Lopez goal – a large yellow JFT96 banner was on display in the home section at Estadio El Madrigal.
That banner will again be present at the second leg, having spent the week at Villarreal’s training ground, where it was signed by many members of the first-team squad.
After the game – win, lose, or draw – the banner will be left at Anfield.
The photos below were posted on Twitter by the Submari Celtic Supporters’ Club – a group that was born in 2004, when former Villarreal player Ernesto Boixader was inspired by the goodwill of travelling Glasgow Celtic fans.
Boixader – who lost his son to cancer – used that goodwill to form an unlikely partnership, which has raised in excess of €150,000 to fund a research project in a bid to improve the lives of young cancer sufferers in Spain.
Villarreal Hillsborough tribute
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