May 29, 1985. The final of the European Cup between Liverpool and Juventus turns to the tragedy. This rigorous film dates back to the sources of a symbolic drama of a collective bankruptcy in the face of violence in the stadiums.
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Photography of the stands on May 29, 1985 after the incredible tragedy. © Archives des Pompiers de Bruxelles/Archive Brandweer Brussels (APBB)/Robert Dekock
Posted on June 03, 2025 at 06:00
Dare cries, panicked faces, bodies compressed to suffocation. In Tribune Z of the Heysel stadium in Brussels, hundreds of spectators, a large majority of Italian supporters, try to tear out a breeze taken between a wall and the assaults of the British hooligans. This May 29, 1985, the final of the European Cup of Champion Clubs between Liverpool and Juventus of Turin turned to the tragedy. Thirty-nine people, nearly six hundred injured will be evacuated from the stands. These horror images enter lives in homes … and yet the match is played. The authorities invoke the fear of riots, they mainly give in to economic pressure.
The documentary by Christophe Hermans and Boris Tilquin returns to this moment of rocking, retracing over the striking archives (some of which are unpublished) the rise in tension of a day which was to celebrate European football and revealed the darkest face. It highlights the chain of failures: the choice of a dilapidated stadium, poorly prepared security services, the underestimation of the phenomenon of hooliganism …
Forty years later, the documentaryists give the floor to those who lived these fatal hours: police and gendarmerie officials, supporters, journalists. All bear witness to collective trauma and a painful introspection work. Beyond the facts already largely documented, the film nourishes a broader reflection on our relationship to violence, while exploring the social context of the time marked by the tense climate of the Thatcher era and, in the background, the emergence of football business.
Heysel Stadium Disaster: A collective Bankruptcy? An interview with Soccer historian Dr. Alan Davies
Keywords: Heysel Stadium disaster, Liverpool, Juventus, European Cup final, hooliganism, stadium violence, football history, sports trauma, football business, stadium safety.
Time.news: Dr. Davies, thank you for joining us to discuss this powerful new documentary about the Heysel Stadium disaster.For our readers who may not be familiar, can you briefly outline what happened on May 29, 1985?
dr. Alan Davies: Certainly. On that day, Liverpool and juventus were set to play in the European Cup final at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels. Tragically, before the match began, a section of the stadium collapsed following a surge of Liverpool fans towards Juventus supporters. Thirty-nine people, mostly Italian Juventus fans, lost their lives, and hundreds more were injured. Yet, incredibly, the match was still played.
Time.news: The article highlights the filmmakers’ focus on going back to the sources of this tragedy. What makes this a “symbolic drama of a collective bankruptcy,” as the article puts it?
Dr. Alan Davies: The “collective bankruptcy” is a potent term,encapsulating the failures at multiple levels.It speaks to the stadium’s dilapidated state, reflecting a lack of investment in infrastructure. It points to the security services’ inadequate planning and their underestimation of the escalating hooliganism problem. And, perhaps most damningly, it highlights the authorities’ decision to proceed with the match, seemingly prioritizing economic concerns and fearing riots over the safety and respect for the victims. It’s a breakdown of responsibility at every level,ethically and practically.
Time.news: The documentary draws on striking archival footage, some previously unseen. How important is this archival material in understanding the event and its context?
Dr. Alan Davies: Absolutely crucial. These aren’t just past footnotes; they are visceral reminders of the human cost of negligence. The footage captures the sheer panic and horror experienced by those present, providing a powerful counterpoint to any sanitized or detached accounts. It allows viewers to witness the unfolding tragedy and understand the intensity of the trauma experienced by those involved. Seeing is believing, and in this case, seeing helps to understand the roots of this disaster.
time.news: The article mentions the film gives voice to police officials, supporters, and journalists who were there. What kind of insights can these personal accounts provide?
Dr. Alan Davies: these firsthand accounts are invaluable. They offer perspectives often missing from official reports. Police officials can shed light on the security challenges they faced, while acknowledging, hopefully, the shortcomings. Supporters’ testimonies humanize the victims and reveal the atmosphere in the stadium leading up to the tragedy. Journalists who covered the event can provide critical context and analysis.Together, these diverse voices paint a fuller, more nuanced picture of what happened and contribute to the “painful introspection work,” as the article calls it. This film becomes more than a recounting of fact; it becomes a testament to the very real emotions that are still present today.
Time.news: The documentary is situated within the social context of the Thatcher era and the burgeoning “football business.” How did these factors contribute to the tragedy?
Dr. Alan Davies: The Thatcher era in Britain was marked by social unrest and economic hardship, which some sociologists suggest fuelled the rise of hooliganism. Football became an outlet for frustrations, and, sadly, a battleground for rival groups.Concurrently, football was becoming increasingly commercialized, with growing pressures to generate revenue and maintain the spectacle, sometimes at the expense of safety and fan welfare. This confluence of factors created a volatile surroundings where a disaster like Heysel became almost certain. The focus shifted from pure sportsmanship to a high-stakes business, and the everyday fan was often lost in the shuffle.
Time.news: forty years later, what lessons can be learned from the Heysel Stadium disaster in preventing similar tragedies in sports today?
Dr. Alan Davies: The lessons are numerous and vitally important. Firstly, prioritize safety above all else when selecting stadiums and planning security measures. Secondly, acknowledge and address the root causes of hooliganism, which often extend beyond the sport itself into wider social issues. Thirdly, ensure robust communication and coordination between organizers, security personnel, and law enforcement.Fourthly, cultivate a culture of respect and responsibility among fans.Many improvements have been made as 1985. Though, constant vigilance is essential. never underestimate the power of collective memory.Remembering Heysel is not just about honoring the victims; it’s about ensuring that such a tragedy never happens again. Vigilance is paramount to fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all sports enthusiasts.
