Platini in Turin to remember Heysel disaster

UEFA president Michel Platini vowed to ensure such a tragedy never happens again as he attended a Heysel memorial in Turin yesterday, 25 years on from the event itself.

As a result of rioting before the start of the European Cup final at the Heysel stadium in Belgium in 1985, 39 people died, mostly Juventus fans, and 600 were injured when a concrete wall collapsed.

And former Juventus playmaker Platini, who played in that match, which the Italians won 1-0 to lift their first European Cup, remembered the darkness that came over him.

"I was carefree like all players who were going through an important moment," he said.

"But that match was played in darkness for us players. I still remember that match today and I can't forget it.

"As president of UEFA I guarantee that it will be one of my priorities to ensure such a tragedy never happens again."

New Juventus president Andrea Agnelli also spoke of his memories of the event.

"I was a nine-year-old child and I was in front of the television and saw my parents' worried expressions but I didn't understand and they couldn't explain it to me," he said.

"Since I've grown up my understanding has matured. I've always struggled to feel our victory in that cup, even if the players assured me it was a real game.

"Now we have to ensure that future generations have secure stadiums so that football can be enjoyed in serenity and joy."

Families of the victims and a Liverpool representative attended the ceremony at Juve's headquarters in Turin.

English teams were banned from Europe for five years as a result of the tragedy with Liverpool being barred for an extra season.