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Fact check: Liverpool fans hate the sun.
1. Summary of the results
The statement about Liverpool fans hating The Sun is strongly supported by multiple sources, but requires important historical context. The animosity stems specifically from The Sun's false reporting about the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, where the newspaper published a front-page story titled "The Truth" that falsely accused Liverpool fans of causing the deaths of 96 supporters, picking pockets of victims, and attacking rescue workers [1] [2]. The hatred has manifested in a sustained, organized boycott that has significantly impacted the newspaper's circulation in the Merseyside region, with daily sales dropping from 55,000 to just 12,000 [2].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The original statement lacks crucial context about:
- The institutional response: Liverpool FC officially banned The Sun from all club premises, including interviews and press conferences in 2017 [3]
- The organized resistance: Campaign groups like "Total Eclipse of the Sn" and "Shun The Sn" have actively worked to prevent businesses and local councils from stocking the newspaper [3]
- The financial impact: The boycott has reportedly cost the newspaper's owners an estimated £15 million per month since the disaster [2]
- The ongoing nature of the conflict: Campaign spokesman Peter Hooton has stated that "Most Liverpool fans will never forgive the paper and will never buy it," as no genuine apology has been deemed satisfactory [4]
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original statement oversimplifies what is actually a complex historical grievance:
- It fails to mention that this isn't just about "fans" but involves the entire Liverpool FC institution and much of the Merseyside region [3]
- It doesn't acknowledge that The Sun's reporting was officially proven false and "repugnant and untruthful" [3]
- The boycott isn't just an emotional response but an organized, effective campaign with measurable economic impacts [2]
Those benefiting from different narratives include:
- News Media Competitors: Other newspapers benefit from The Sun's reduced circulation in the region
- Campaign Groups: Organizations like "Total Eclipse of the S*n" gain influence and legitimacy from maintaining the boycott
- The Sun/News Corp: Would benefit from downplaying the severity and significance of the boycott