Topman removes shirt ‘mocking’ Hillsborough disaster

Topman has come under fire for selling a red football-style shirt that some Liverpool fans believe mocks the 1989 Hillsborough football stadium disaster, where 96 football fans died during a match.

The shirt has the number 96 on the back with the words ‘What goes around comes around’ underneath. It also has the word ‘Karma’ down the sleeve.

The retailer’s £20 top is actually based on a Bob Marley song which was released in 1996 called ‘What Goes Around Comes Around’, but many on social media asked Topman to remove the item.

Labour MP Alison McGovern tweeted: “Hi @Topman. No idea what is behind this, but it is very unfortunate. Hope you can discontinue the tshirt asap please.”

Hi @Topman. No idea what is behind this, but it is very unfortunate. Hope you can discontinue the tshirt asap please. https://t.co/k2hKohzcuG

— Alison McGovern (@Alison_McGovern) March 15, 2018

Louise Brookes, sister of Hillsborough victim Andrew Brookes also called for the top to be removed.

One Twitter user, @SibsMUFC, wrote: “That “96” jumper from Topman is absolutely shocking. I’m sure whoever designed it has no knowledge of Hillsborough but surely someone should have realised this was a terrible idea.”

https://twitter.com/SibsMUFC/status/974374562963120128

Another called @joneely said: “I get that the Topman shirt is quite possibly a reference to a song BUT a large “96” the word “karma” and the phrase “what goes around” on a bloody RED shirt is unbelievably insensitive. Surely somebody realised it was bound to offend people???? [sic]”

I get that the Topman shirt is quite possibly a reference to a song BUT a large "96" the word "karma" and the phrase "what goes around" on a bloody RED shirt is unbelievably insensitive. Surely somebody realised it was bound to offend people????

— Oddball (@joneeley) March 15, 2018

The top is no longer available on the Topman website.