The 1985 Heysel Stadium disaster, occurring before the European Cup final, killed 39 people and led to a five-year UEFA ban on all English clubs.
Key Facts
- Date
- 29 May 1985
- Venue
- Heysel Stadium, Brussels
- Deaths (Heysel disaster)
- 39 people
- Match result
- Juventus 1–0 Liverpool
- Goal scorer
- Michel Platini (pen, 56')
- Attendance
- 58,000 spectators
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Liverpool supporters breached a fence separating the two sets of fans before kick-off, charging at Juventus supporters. The crush of people caused a retaining wall to collapse, killing 39 people and injuring hundreds more in what became known as the Heysel Stadium disaster.
Despite the pre-match disaster, authorities decided to proceed with the final to prevent further disorder. Watched by 58,000 spectators, the match ended 1–0 to Juventus, with Michel Platini converting a controversial penalty in the 56th minute, giving Juventus their first European Cup title.
UEFA banned all English clubs from European competition for five years, with Liverpool serving an additional year. Juventus became the first club to have won all three major European trophies. The disaster prompted widespread reforms in stadium safety and crowd management across Europe.