LIVERPOOL fans have reacted with anger over a shirt being sold by Topman which some believe refers to the Hillsborough disaster.
The red and white shirt has the number 96 on the back in large type above the words ‘What Goes Around Comes Back Around’, while the word ‘Karma’ is printed on the sleeve.
In April 1989, 96 Liverpool fans died during the FA Cup semi-final between the Reds and Nottingham Forest at Hillsborough.
Ninety-six Liverpool fans died in the Hillsborough disaster (Image: Getty)The tragedy occurred four years after the Heysel disaster, in which 39 mostly Juventus fans died during the European Cup Final against Liverpool.
WIrral South MP Alison McGovern tweeted Topman, asking: “No idea what is behind this, but it is very unfortunate. Hope you can discontinue the tshirt asap please.”
Topman has yet to comment on the criticism.
Some social media users suggested the number and wording could refer to singer Bob Marley, whose song What Goes Around Comes Around was remastered in 1996.
However some people thought the similarities to Hillsborough and Liverpool were too similar to be merely coincidence and called for a boycott of the store.
@Topman It’s quite clearly a reference to Hillsborough. So many trolls on here mocking the victims and the good people of Liverpool. Makes me sick to my stomach. Get rid of it. #topman #boycott pic.twitter.com/Bf7o2prTAa
— Graham Walker (@G_WalkerJr) March 15, 2018
What in God’s name where topman thinking with this jumper, the message, the rose the colour everything about screams Liverpool how nobody is design, production or the sales team seen the link to hillsbourgh is beyond me #Topman #BoycottTopman pic.twitter.com/3fyu1MJ5wC
— Donnacha O Beaglaoich (@DonOBeaglaoich) March 15, 2018
@Topman Seriously? This is abhorrently offensive to those 96 Liverpool FC supports who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster...
"What goes around comes around"
"Karma"What in the actual fuck were you thinking with this?
Titled "Red 'Goes Around' T-shirt' on your site. pic.twitter.com/qqHl7eIIQS
— TheRightOne (@TheRightOne999) March 15, 2018
#Topman are you fucking kidding me with that top! Disrespectful, disgusting and completely out of order! I will not be letting any of my male friends near your brand and I will never go into a @Topshop again! You make me sick... and I’m not even a Liverpool fan!
— Lou (@Louise_Weezie85) March 15, 2018
Exactly. It has to be intentional as it literally couldn't be any more offensive to a Liverpool fan. Too many factors to be a coincidence.
— Mark Rennie (@doinel74) March 15, 2018
Others believed that the Hillsborough similarities were not intentional, but rather a serious and unfortunate oversight.
Can't believe this from Topman. Whether it was intentional or not, surely someone could have recognised how offensive this t-shirt is.https://t.co/PrMIKKskFq
— Jenny Kirkham (@PJ_Kirkham) March 15, 2018
Really hope Topman recall that top. Don't think for a second it's intentional but it's horrendously insensitive and ignorant to what it insinuates for anyone associated with Liverpool.
Worked their for 6 years and it sticks in the craw seeing that. Just get it rid @Topman.
— Ryan (@ryan3levis) March 15, 2018
They haven’t meant to, I’m sure of it. The designer needs the anger. They’ve seen it and not thought of it that way. We Liverpool fans obviously will because of Hillsborough and the 96. As I said, apology and info on what they plan to do with the designer and it’s sound.
— Pᵒrl (@nazenanip4ul) March 15, 2018
i mean 96 Liverpool fans (a team that wears red jerseys) got wrongly accused of their own mistake leading to their death therefore 'karma' and 'what goes around comes around' has a lot to do with it. sure it was unintentional but should be taken off their site
— Bobby 😍👑 (@fxrmxno_) March 15, 2018
It’s not on purpose, but it’s moronically naive that it’s actually appeared in the shop without someone noticing. Like, moronically. It’s obvious more blatant to us as Liverpool fans, but like, how could nobody notice?! Weird.
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) March 15, 2018
over the top reaction but pretty careless from Topman, (although clearly not intentional)
— Dan Greene (@DanGreeney) March 15, 2018
The shirt was still available for sale on Topman's online store on Thursday night.
