Thirty-nine balloons are released to commemorate the Heysel victims on the tragedy’s 30th anniversary

Thirty-nine balloons were released this morning outside the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, commemorating those who lost their lives in the Heysel disaster 30 years ago today.

But instead of floating high into the sky, the balloons were swept by the wind inside the ground and over Sector Z, where the tragedy occurred on 29 May 1985.

It was a poignant moment for those present at the memorial service, at which Juventus were represented by J-Museum president Paolo Garimberti and Sergio Brio.

Massimiliano Allegri begins today’s press conference with a tribute to the 39 who lost their lives in the Heysel tragedy: “Today we commemorate the victims and our hearts go out to their relatives”

On the day of the 30^th anniversary of the Heysel disaster, Massimiliano Allegri began his press conference by remembering the 39 innocent victims who lost their lives on that fateful night in Brussels.

The manager will be joining the first-team squad and his backroom staff for this evening’s memorial mass at Turin’s Chiesa della Gran Madre di Dio, and sought to add a personal tribute of his own when speaking to the media this lunchtime.

The 47-year-old said: “What happened 30 years ago, on that tragic night, was a black page in world sport and the history of Juventus. Today we commemorate the victims and our hearts go out to their relatives.”

After attending the service Allegri and his men will depart for Verona, where they play Hellas in their final Serie A game of the season tomorrow evening.

Previewing the encounter, he continued: “It will be an important game for us as it’s our final test before the Champions League final. We need to focus exclusively on Verona in order to round off our season on the best possible note.

“I still haven’t fully decided on my starting line-up but Tevez will play. He wasn’t involved last Saturday and will have the opportunity to draw level with and overtake Toni in the Serie A top scorers list. Both would be deserved winners for their achievements this season.”

When asked about next weekend’s Champions League final, Allegri spoke of the need for his team to approach the showdown with cool heads.

He concluded: “We must be calm in our build-up and go into the final with plenty of enthusiasm. Our team has had an extraordinary season. It’s just the last epilogue missing now, but we’ll have to wait another seven days.”

Thirty years have passed since Heysel. Juventus Football Club remembers the victims of the tragedy on this sad day

29 May 1985, the saddest day in our history.

It was supposed to be a day of excitement, celebration and tension on the pitch. It became a tragedy.

Thirty-nine innocent people lost their lives that night. Thirty-nine families were forever afflicted by a pain we can’t even imagine.

What happened that night is etched in the memories of football fans everywhere. Those who there in Brussels, those sat watching on television but also those were too young or perhaps hadn’t even been born yet.

Thirty years have gone by and now we can only cling to their memory. Juventus will do so by joining the Association of Families Affected by Heysel for a church service, which will be held at 19.30 CEST at Turin’s Gran Madre di Dio church. The first team squad, coaching staff and management will all be in attendance.

Juventus will also be a part of the public ceremony in Brussels, represented by J-Museum president Paolo Garimberti and Sergio Brio.

Gianluca Pessotto and Massimo Bonini meanwhile will attend the service in Liverpool on behalf of the club.

This article will remain the top story throughout the day on Juventus.com, while the cover photos of our social media accounts and our only post on Facebook will be in memory of the victims.

The rest will be silence.
To honour their memory.
To try and bring comfort to their families.
To stress once again the hope that the vile abuse to which they have been subjected for many years stops once and for all.
To make it clear that a similar act of madness must not be repeated.
Never again.

Source: juventus.com