Hillsborough disaster: Rafa Benitez leads praise of victims' families as former Liverpool players react to verdict

An inquest jury ruled that all 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster were 'unlawfully killed' 27 years after the tragedy

Rafa Benitez sent a message of praise to the families of the Hillsborough disaster victims (Getty)

Former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez led the moving tributes and messages of triumph after the 27-year battle to seek justice for the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster reached its conclusion when an inquest jury confirmed that they were “unlawfully killed”.

The jury also ruled that the behaviour of the 96 Liverpool supporters who lost their life at the FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough Stadium on 15 April 1989 did not contribute to their deaths, with South Yorkshire Police announcing they “unequivocally accept” the ruling and apologise.

Immediately, social media was filled with celebratory tweets from past Liverpool players as well as recognisable names from the sport who played for other teams.

The family members of those who died at Hillsborough – and have subsequently campaigned relentlessly for the truth to come out – allowed their relief to overcome them outside Warrington Coroner’s Court as they joined together to sing a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone and Justice For The 96, two regularly sung anthems heard at Anfield for more than two decades.

For some, they displayed pure jubilation after years of hard work and surpassing obstacles that helped cover-up the truth about the disaster, while overcomes were unable to hold in the raw emotion of the court hearing.

Having attended multiple Hillsborough memorial ceremonies during his six-year spell on Merseyside, Benitez released a statement on his website to express his delight in seeing the families of the victims finally bring the right people to justice.

“After so many years fighting for justice I am really pleased to see the verdict today, which confirms what we have been saying for a long time,” said Benitez, the current Newcastle United manager. “I am especially pleased for the families of the 96 who have sought justice for so long and with such dignity, as well as for the people of Liverpool and for football fans in general.

“Hopefully this verdict today will ensure that this kind of tragedy can never happen again.”

Benitez was joined in paying tribute by a number of past Liverpool footballers, including Jamie Carragher, Michael Owen and Luis Garcia.

As well as Liverpool alumni, footballing figures from around the game expressed their relief at hearing the inquest verdict, with Joey Barton, Jimmy Bullard and former Everton midfielder Tim Cahill among those to send messages of support to the families of the victims.

Liverpool Football Club confirmed that it would release a full statement later in the day once the family press conferences had finished.