FAMILIES of Liverpool FC fans killed at Hillsborough have demanded the “blanket” covering the tragedy be lifted on its 21st anniversary.

More than 10,000 people attended an emotional memorial service at Anfield yesterday afternoon.

In a powerful speech, Hillsborough Family Support Group chairman Margaret Aspinall called for apologies to be made to the families of the 96 Liverpool fans who died after the crushes on the Leppings Lane terrace.

In a typically emotional service, the event was punctuated by “justice for the 96” chants, which rang down from the Kop.

Mrs Aspinall, who lost her son James, 18, at Hillsborough, told the crowd: “Last year, [Government minister] Andy Burnham stood before you, you all gave your voices to him, he listened, he heard, he took that message back to the Government. I thank Andy Burnham for that.

“I would like to thank the [newly-established Hillsborough] panel for taking on this mammoth task [of re-examining all the files].

“It will not be easy, but it is for the families, survivors and fans. We know why were here. In 1989, ninety-six loved ones died after they did not come back from a football game. There was a blanket put over Hillsborough and that blanket has got to be removed.”

The current Liverpool FC squad and staff attended the service, including manager Rafael Benitez, managing director Christian Purslow and legend Kenny Dalglish.

The 10,000 tickets were fully booked in the hour leading up to the memorial service and 3,000 seats in the Lower Centenary stand were made available as a last-minute contingency plan.

Mrs Aspinall added: “During all the court cases, what the law and the establishment did not realise was we were gaining so much knowledge.

“When every door was slammed in our faces, we learned so much. We are proud to be among you today. We are the eyes of the 96, the ears of the 96, the voices of the 96.