article_snippet: The former officer also admitted The former officer was 'possibly in denial' over The former officer misleading statement that a gate had been forced open by fans, leading to a deadly crush on the terraces of the Sheffield stadium.
article_snippet: Mr Menon said that the former officer's failure to close the tunnel before opening the gates was a, 'blunder of the first magnitude.'
article_snippet: Mr Duckenfield said, 'I can't deny the former officer's failure to close the tunnel before opening the gates was a, 'blunder of the first magnitude,' adding: 'I'm not making excuses, I have nothing to cover up, I have put my hands up and admitted my failings
article_snippet: the former officer told jurors the former officer 'came clean' about giving the order to open the gate at about 4pm after returning to the control box from a visit to Hillsborough's boardroom.
article_snippet: Whilst in the boardroom - in the presence of directors from Sheffield Wednesday, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool - Mr Duckenfield again failed to mention that the former officer had authorised the gate to be opened.