Martin Tyler

Martin Tyler and the BBC have apologised after the football commentator appeared to link the Hillsborough disaster and hooliganism in a Radio 4 interview.

There is no connection at all between the Hillsborough disaster and hooliganism – I know that, and I was not implying that there was. 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.” “You have got to remember football was in a bit of a crisis at that time.

The Sky Sports commentator said his remarks in an interview with the Today programme were not intended to link the “two separate issues”.

We regret that we did not robustly challenge Martin Tyler on a comment which appeared to link Hillsborough & hooliganism. I apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for any misunderstanding.” taking it away from the public.”

The 76-year-old, who was speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today show ahead of the new Premier League season, was asked to recall the first Premier League match to be ...

We regret that we did not robustly challenge Martin Tyler on a comment which appeared to link Hillsborough & hooliganism. The BBC News Press Team issued a statement, writing: "We regret that we did not robustly challenge Martin Tyler on a comment which appeared to link Hillsborough & hooliganism. 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." However, fans are angry that he mentioned the two instances in the same sentence. The human crush occurred at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium ahead of the FA Cup semi-final between the Merseyside club and Nottingham Forest in April 1989. "We certainly didn't know how satellite television - as it was called in those days - would work.

Tyler was speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme on Friday morning and was speaking about the formation of the Premier League in 1992.

We regret that we did not robustly challenge Martin Tyler on a comment which appeared to link Hillsborough & hooliganism. Police failures, stadium design faults and a delayed response by the ambulance service was to blame for the tragedy - not hooliganism. "It was very pioneering.

The Sky Sports commentator said his remarks in an interview with the Today programme were not intended to link the “two separate issues”.

I apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for any misunderstanding.” The BBC said in a statement: “We regret that we did not robustly challenge Martin Tyler on a comment which appeared to link Hillsborough and hooliganism. taking it away from the public.”