article_snippet: The supporters were crushed to death shortly after the start of the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's Hillsborough ground on April 15, 1989.
article_snippet: Crush: 96 Liverpool fans were killed by being pressed up against the ground's perimeter fence .
article_snippet: Mr Duckenfield said that it was necessary to keep rival fans apart from each other in order to ensure rival fans safety, pointing to the culture of football hooliganism at the time.
article_snippet: Mr Duckenfield said Mr Duckenfield had experienced hooliganism while working as a inspector at Sheffield United's Bramall Lane ground, adding: 'It was a feature of matches in those days where people fought and argued for whatever reason. '
article_snippet: It seemed to be very sadly the fact of life that fighting and hooliganism was the main feature of policing football matches.'
article_snippet: Fans flooded onto the pitch in the aftermath of the disaster .
highlights_snippet: Duckenfield, 70, ordered gates of the ground to be opened shortly before 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death during FA Cup semi-final .