Topman has withdrawn from sale a long-sleeved T-shirt that provoked widespread disgust by appearing to mock the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
The £20 red shirt 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.
Topman issued a hasty apology and the item is no longer available on its website after Hillsborough relatives and survivors said it insulted the memory of the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the 1989 stadium disaster.
The retailer said the shirt design referenced What Comes Around Goes Around, a 1996 remix of a Bob Marley song.
It said: “Topman apologises unreservedly for any offence caused by this T-shirt. The design was inspired by a Bob Marley track with the number referring to the year of re-release. The garment has been removed from sale online and in stores.”
It refused to state how many of the shirts had been sold.
The chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, Margaret Aspinall, whose 18-year-old son James died in the disaster, said she was shocked that Topman had allowed the item to go on sale. “We had no explanation or apology,” she told the Guardian.
“If they’ve made a mistake they should apologise and say they didn’t realise the implications. Anything with 96 on it and a rose running through it and karma on the sleeve and the wording on it people will think is a dig at Hillsborough. Everybody should be aware of Hillsborough and the fact that 96 people died. And understand that the rose means a lot to the families. We place 96 roses at the memorial every year.”
The campaign group Justice for the 96 pointed out that a fan of a rival club had already used the T-shirt to mock Hillsborough victims.
Justice For The 96 (@TheHoodedClaw66) In case #Topman or #topshop though we are over the top
Here’s a #Manutd fan who’s already mocking 96 dead people because of your top design. #JFT96 pic.twitter.com/G5u2b6aj7l
It also tweeted: “So it’s a #BobMarley song and it’s managed to get through god knows how many people before it’s printed. Just shows you how few people know about the biggest sporting disaster and cover up this country’s ever seen.”
Topman have removed an item for sale from their website and apologised profusely after come under fire on social media after users claimed the red jumper with phrases such as 'what goes around comes back around' emblazoned across it referenced the Hillsborough disaster.
The 'Goes Around' jumper had the number '96' on the back — which corresponds with the number of people who died in the 1989 stadium disaster — alongside 'what goes around comes back around' written underneath and 'karma' on the sleeve.
In a statement, the company said: 'Topman apologises unreservedly for any offence caused by this t-shirt.
'The design was inspired by a Bob Marley track with the number referring to the year of re-release. The garment has been removed from sale online and in stores.'
Topman have come under fire after users claimed this jumper referenced Hillsborough
There is no suggestion Topman have deliberately made reference to the Hillsborough disaster
The top has been removed from their site and Topman has apologised for any offence caused
Campaign group 'Total Eclipse of the S*n' tweeted Topman saying: 'Your PR department need to carry out some immediate research and recall this item now! Have some respect!'
Other social media users also expressed their disgust at the jumper.
One user said: 'That "96" jumper from @Topman is absolutely shocking. I'm sure whoever designed it has no knowledge of Hillsborough but surely someone should have realised this was a terrible idea.'
Another wrote: 'Really hope Topman recall that top. Don't think for a second it's intentional but it's horrendously insensitive and ignorant to what it insinuates for anyone associated with Liverpool.'
And talkSPORT presenter Andy Goldstein took to social media to say: 'Hey @topmanUK I think you should sit down with your buyer and explain why some of your target audience may find this offensive.'
Rather than Hillsborough, the item was referencing the Bob Marley song 'What Goes Around Comes Around'.
It was released in 1996 and has the lyrics 'What goes around comes around, What goes up must come down, it's called Karma baby and it goes around'.
A Hillsborough campaign group tweeted Topman asking them to recall the item
A red T-shirt by Topman has sparked a twitter storm by Liverpool fans over its design inadvertently referencing the Hillsborough Disaster.
The red shirt has the words "Karma" down one sleeve and a large '96' on the back along with a rose and the words underneath: "What goes around comes back around."
The design is an apparent reference to a Bob Marley song dating from 1996, but since the £20 shirt went on sale online it has come to the attention of hundreds of Liverpool fans, incredulous at its design, who have taken to Twitter to express their disgust.
The club's supporters believe it links to the Hillsborough Disaster, which left 96 Liverpool fans dead after a crushing incident at the start of an FA Cup semi-final in April, 1989.
Justice for the 96 @TheHoodedClaw66, tweeted: "So it's a #BobMarley song and it's managed to get through god knows how many people before it's printed.
"Just shows you how few people know about the biggest sporting disaster and cover up this country's ever seen."
Get daily updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email
A Topman t-shirt has been branded "sick" and "offensive" by Liverpool fans accusing it of mocking victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
Dozens of supporters spotted the top being sold for £20 on the store's website tonight.
The red shirt, that went on sale a few days ago, is bright red with the slogan "KARMA" down the sleeve.
Graphics on the back display a large 96 with a white image of a rose going through it. Underneath is the phrase: "What goes around comes back around".
(Image: Website screenshot)
The t-shirt, which is listed as "selling fast" on the popular fashion site, is currently only available from their online store for £20.
It is not known what the significance of the t-shirt's message is. There is no suggestion Topman deliberately made reference to the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster.
But campaign group Total Eclipse Of The S*n tweeted a link to the site this evening, calling for Topman to "have some respect".
The tweet said: "@Topman what are you playing at? How insensitive do you want to be? Are you totally ignorant?"
While another, a few minutes later, said: "@TopmanAskUs @Topman your PR department need to carry out some immediate research and recall this item now! Have some respect! #JFT96"
Dozens of people have also expressed their disgust at the product online.
Callum Wright said: "I can’t quite believe it. The quote. The word karma. 96. Surely this is some kind of sick joke. Get it gone."
Twitter user @VirgHelVanDijk also said: "That topman shirt is absolutely vile. They should be ashamed."
A number of alternative explanations for the design have been offered on social media.
Dozens of people have tweeted that the top could be a nod towards Bob Marley's song What Goes Around Comes Around, which was remastered and released in 1996.
Others, however, think that the "96" is an abstract way of portraying that with a Yin and Yang-type symbol.
@ryan3levis said: "It's a Bob Marley song reference by the way. What Goes Around Comes Around was released in 1996 (remastered of his work done in the '60's).
"That is on brand for Topman. It still should be addressed and the top should be recalled imo. But it isn't an intentional slur."
Plastic Mouldsman also said: "There's a Bob Marley album released in 1996 called 'What Goes Around Comes Around'. Really hope that's what it's about. Otherwise, that's pretty vile."
Topman have been approached for comment. The t-shirt was still on the Topman website at about 10pm this evening.
