Former Crystal Palace owner and now talkSPORT broadcaster Simon Jordan has been accused of using a “Hillsborough slur” by the Member of Parliament for Liverpool West Derby Ian Byrne.
Jordan is known for the blunt and controversial views he airs on the flagship radio show he hosts alongside former Sky Sports News presenter Jim White. When commenting on the Premier League’s decision to release the VAR audio from Stockley Park during Tottenham Hotspur’s controversial victory over Liverpool, Jordan said it was the right decision, as a “conspiracy theory” and “victim culture of Liverpool fans” may have built up if they refused.
The term “victims” has frequently been used in “tragedy chants” from rival fans who have shamelessly sang songs about the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which saw 97 supporters lose their lives in the FA Cup semi-final. After Jordan’s comments aired on the radio station, Byrne, who survived the horrific disaster, condemned the entrepreneur's use of the "slur" in a letter he wrote to talkSPORT’s head Liam Fisher.
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“I have written to TalkSPORT re the use of the term ‘victim culture’ by Simon Jordan,” the MP said on X, formerly known as Twitter. “He is fully aware of its use by rival supporters against LFC, its connotations to Hillsborough & how its use undermines what many supporters are doing to tackle tragedy chanting.”
Jordan’s comments concerned the controversial moment which saw Video Assistant Referee (VAR) Darren England fail to overturn an offside decision unfairly made against Liverpool forward Luis Diaz, who thought he had given Jurgen Klopp’s side the lead. The former Palace owner urged referees’ governing body PGMOL to show transparency by releasing the audio from within Stockley Park at the time.
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“If they don’t release the audio, they’ll be asked why they’re not releasing it,” Jordan began. “Then what you’ll do is you’ll build up this conspiracy theory, this victim culture of Liverpool fans, of being penalised by a goal that was disallowed.”
Jordan’s comments, specifically the use of the term “victim culture” was not challenged by White. As part of his letter, Byrne laid out how the term “always the victims” has been weaponised against Liverpool supporters in tragedy chants and general comments.
“Jordan knows the truth about Hillsborough and yet has chosen to propagate this smear to millions of listeners,” a part of the letter read. “This type of behaviour from someone with a significant media profile sets back the collective efforts of so many who are trying to end this toxic discourse.
“I therefore urge you to, at the very least, ask Mr Jordon to reflect on his comments, apologise to the families and survivors of the Hillsborough disaster and commit to not using the phrase again.”
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