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Hillsborough campaigner Margaret Aspinall calls for lifetime bans over Anfield chants and gestures

By Pete O'Rourke - Follow me: <a href= http://bit.ly/lsiOza' class='instorylink'>@skysportspeteo</a>

Monday 24 September 2012 13:15, UK

Image: Sir Bobby Charlton hands over flowers to Ian Rush before the match at Anfield

A Hillsborough campaigner has called for lifetime bans for people making offensive gestures or chanting about tragedies.

"The Manchester United fans were very good. Obviously there were a few morons but you can't blame the majority." Prior to the match on Sunday, United great Sir Bobby Charlton presented former Reds striker Ian Rush with flowers, later to be laid at the Hillsborough memorial, and captains Steven Gerrard and Ryan Giggs released 96 red balloons. Mosaics on three sides of the ground reading '96', 'Justice' and 'The Truth' were displayed for the opening minute of the game.

Fitting tribute

Aspinall said the occasion had been a fitting tribute in recognition of the 23-year fight for justice, which will now continue off the field in the law courts. "It was a very emotional day but also a very uplifting one," she added. "We just felt very humbled by what the two clubs and fans did. "It was a fabulous thing and it didn't matter who won at the end of the day because it was all about the 96. "It was a wonderful tribute and I thought it was a lovely moment, a lovely gesture, when Sir Bobby Charlton presented flowers to Ian Rush on the pitch."

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