Martin Tyler and Sky Sports have committed to working with Liverpool FC to ensure clear and accurate commentary around the Hillsborough disaster going forward.
The long-time Sky commentator came under fire on Friday for comments made on Radio 4's Today Show that appeared to compare the unlawful killing of 97 Liverpool fans to football hooliganism.
"You've got to remember that football was in a bit of a crisis at that time," said Tyler in a segment dedicated to 30 years of the Premier League. "We weren't that long after Hillsborough, and other hooligan-related issues as well. It was very much a difficult time for the game generally."
The comments were roundly criticised on Friday morning before Tyler later offered an apology in a statement on social media.
He wrote: "This morning while discussing various crises facing football 30 years ago, I referred to some examples including the Hillsborough disaster and also controversy over hooliganism at matches. These are two separate issues. There is no connection at all between the Hillsborough disaster and hooliganism - I know that, and I was not implying that there was.
"I apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for any misunderstanding."
Liverpool reached out to both Sky Sports and the BBC to invite them to learn more around the sensitivities of the topic to avoid future issues arising that could cause further hurt to those affected by the April 1989 disaster.
And the ECHO understands that both Mr Tyler and Sky themselves have accepted the invitation as they seek further clarity on the issue. It's unclear if representatives from the BBC will also take part, but the ECHO were informed the club were set to be given a reply on Monday.
Several media personalities have privately spoken of their sympathy towards Tyler following the incident, believing it to be a simple mistake, although the ECHO has learned that some close to those within the Reds' first team were appalled by the remarks.
It is understood that Sky themselves responded to complaint emails about the issue, saying they “completely understand” the “anger and frustration” from those hurt by Tyler’s radio interview.
In a reply email seen by the ECHO over the weekend, Sky said the 76-year-old accepts he should have worded his answer differently and stated he knows there is no link between the tragedy and hooliganism within football in the 1980s.
Liverpool hope their invitation will lead to extra caution around the discussion of the tragedy.
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