Topman in trouble over ‘Hillsborough’ shirt

Topman has pulled a £20 red shirt which appeared to mock the victims of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

It features a large number 96 and the slogan “What goes around comes back around” on the back, the word “karma” on one sleeve and a red rose on the front and back. Topman claims this is a reference to a Bob Marley song remixed in 1996 but many Liverpool fans were not impressed and took to Twitter to vent spleen, e.g: ‘Can’t believe they’ve done that. They are saying it’s a Bob Marley reference (despite it being red, looking like a football shirt and having a floral/memorial effect). Nothing good gonna come out of this for Topman’ and ‘@Topman - 96 died. They’re not a commodity to be sold on the back of a T-shirt’.

The retailer said that it “apologised unreservedly for any offence caused. The garment has been removed from sale online and in stores.” It did not reveal how many of the shirts had been sold.