After nearly 30 years, six men in the UK are facing charges over the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, where 96 people were killed in a stampede at a football match.
Included in the six are four high-ranking former police officers.
Sue Hemming from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) announced the charges; the most serious against a former chief superintendent.
"There is sufficient evidence to charge former chief superintendent David Duckenfield with the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 men, women and children. Mr Duckenfield was the match commander on the day of the disaster."
The fatal stampede, which happened at Sheffield's Hillsborough Stadium, is known as the worst tragedy in UK sporting history.
Details of the charges:
- Former South Yorkshire Police chief superintendent David Duckenfield, who was the match commander on the day of the disaster, is charged with the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 men, women and children.
The CPS said it is alleged that Duckenfield's failures to discharge his personal responsibility were "extraordinarily bad and contributed substantially to the deaths of each of those 96 people who so tragically and unnecessarily lost their lives".
- Former South Yorkshire Police chief constable Norman Bettison is charged with four offences of misconduct in public office.
The CPS said these relate to telling alleged lies about his involvement in the aftermath of Hillsborough and the culpability of fans.
- Former South Yorkshire Police chief superintendent Donald Denton is charged with doing acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice relating to material changes made to witness statements.
It is alleged that Denton oversaw the process of amending the statements and, in doing so, he did acts that had a tendency to pervert the course of public justice, the CPS said.
- Former South Yorkshire Police detective chief inspector Alan Foster is also charged with doing acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice relating to material changes made to witness statements.
The CPS said Foster was central to the process of changing the statements and took action to do so.
- Graham Mackrell, who was Sheffield Wednesday's company secretary and safety officer at the time, is charged with two offences of contravening a term of condition of a safety certificate contrary to the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975.
He is also charged with one offence of failing to take reasonable care for the health and safety of other persons who may have been affected by his acts or omissions at work under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. The CPS said these offences relate to alleged failures to carry out his duties as required.
- Peter Metcalf, who was the solicitor acting for South Yorkshire Police during the Taylor Inquiry and the first inquests, is charged with doing acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice relating to material changes made to witness statements.
The CPS said Metcalf was instructed by Municipal Mutual Insurance to represent the interests of the police force at the Taylor Inquiry and in any civil litigation that might result from the Hillsborough disaster.
Reuters / Newshub.
