Sad day for sport

It's been a tragic day for sport as 22 people died in a stadium stampede in Ivory Coast.

The news comes amid recent talking point, the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster, on April 15.

No doubt, there are many who can relate to today's disaster and it will spark more stories like Tony Edwards' in today's newspapers.

I found out today that I will be going to the Chelsea versus Liverpool Champions' League second leg a day prior to the anniversary.

It has not yet been decided how a moment of respect will be marked in that game and this is questioned by The Times Online, and I agree with the piece that there should be a silence, not one minute of applause. A silence is more dignified, and as the piece states, matches the sombre mood of the occasion.

A minute's applause was only brought in to prevent a moment of respect being interrupted by mindless morons, something which one Liverpool fans' forum poster Huyton Red, speaks out against vociferously.

Some Liverpool musicians and a choir of players, including Kenny Dalglish, John Aldridge and Phil Thompson will be releasing a single to remember those who died.

However the 96 Liverpool fans killed in the Hillsborough disaster are remembered before the Champions' League quarter-final second leg, my first Champions' League match is likely to be one of the most emotion-filled games I ever attend.

While on the subject of stadium accidents, just a couple of hours ago a tennis fan had to be stretchered out of the arena and to hospital after falling down the stairs during the Miami Open match between Robert Kendrick and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. I hope that fan makes a swift return to health.