Tearful Rafa Benitez pays his respects at Hillsborough tribute as Kop calls for Kenny Dalglish to be knighted
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1377353/Rafa-Benitez-tears-Hillsborough-tribute-Kop-calls-Kenny-Dalglish-knighthood.html#ixzz1Jc8gd452Rafa Benitez was in tears at the Hillsborough memorial as the families of the 96 Liverpool fans killed in the disaster called for Kenny Dalglish to receive a knighthood.
Former manager Benitez was among the thousands at Anfield to pay their respects to those who died 22 years ago.
Captain Steven Gerrard and the rest of the players were present, along with manager Dalglish and a host of other Liverpool legends.
Former Lord Mayor of Liverpool Steve Rotherham MP told fans at a memorial service that the families had asked him to put down an Early Day Motion requesting that the Queen confer a knighthood on the Liverpool manager.
Mr Rotherham said it was 'so that on all our behalf the King of the Kop can become Sir Kenny'. The announcement was met with cheers and a standing ovation from the Liverpool faithful and chants of 'Kenny'.
Before the service, Dalglish said that the families of the 96 supporters that died are close to obtaining the answers and justice for which they have been campaigning.
Dalglish was also Liverpool boss on that fateful day in 1989, when the tragic events unfolded at an FA Cup semi-final between the Merseysiders and Nottingham Forest.
Lord Justice Taylor ruled afterwards that South Yorkshire police, Sheffield city council and Sheffield Wednesday FC were culpable. Despite this, nobody in authority has been held accountable
An independent panel, chaired by the bishop of Liverpool James Jones, is currently examining documents relating to Hillsborough.
And Dalglish, who will attend a special memorial service said: I think it's getting closer to some positive news for the families, but it has taken a long time to get to this point as well.
'Two years ago Andy Burnham (then secretary of state for culture, media and sport) came up to the memorial service and promised that he would do the best he could to get access to some papers that were not due to be released for another three or four years and to the man's great credit he has done that.
'They have got access now to some papers that they've never had before and have now got to file through them and that's why I'm saying it's getting a bit more positive for the families.'
The dignified way Dalglish responded to the disaster in 1989 will never be forgotten by Liverpool fans. The Scot attended a large number of the funerals of supporters who died. The aftermath of the tragedy was one of the factors that contributed to him standing down in 1991.
'I don't think what happened there will ever be removed from anybody and neither should it,' said Dalglish. 'I don't think anybody should ever forget it. I suppose the people who where there are the ones who have the strongest opinion on it. There are people now passing an opinion on things but I'm sure had they been there they would have a different opinion.
'For ourselves also, it has been that long that there is a generation of our supporters now who know about it but obviously weren't there. I'm sure it is to the forefront of their minds as well.
'Everybody knows what it means to the football club and everybody knows how difficult it is for the people who lost someone there. The sooner they get the justice for themselves, the happier they will be and we all will be for them.'
