Villarreal fans honor Hillsborough 96 during match vs Liverpool (Photo)

Villarreal fans showed tremendous class in paying tribute to the Hillsborough 96 during a match vs. Liverpool

There have certainly been a number of tragedies in world soccer involving fans than in most other sports around the globe. However, there haven’t been many quite as tragic as the 1989 disaster at Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, England during an FA Cup semifinal match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest in which a human crush caused 766 people to be injured and cost the lives of 96 supporters, since known as the Hillsborough 96.

Earlier this week, though, some justice was found in court in England as a jury ruled that the deaths of the Hillsborough 96 were “unlawful killings” and ruled that match officials and police were responsible for the events that led to the disaster and for not aiding in trying to avoid the tragedy.

Obviously with something as tragic and heavy as this, Liverpool supporters have been a bit emotional over the past week. That’s what made Spanish club Villarreal’s gesture in the stands to pay tribute to the Hillsborough 96 all the more touching as supporters held a banner that read “96 You’ll Never Walk Alone:”

“You’ll Never Walk Alone” of course is in reference to the song from the musical Carousel and has been adopted by the Liverpool fans as an anthem for over a half-century. It’s even more touching in this context considering that the song’s original intention is to console a grieving character in the musical after a death.

There are many thing about sports and sports fans that are great. However, it’s moments like these where rivals or competing fans come together regarding something bigger than the competition that these things are truly incredible.

For all your Europa League coverage, stay in touch with the Soccer hub page.