Hillsborough: Duckenfield pleads not guilty to manslaughter by gross negligence

The former chief superintendent, 74, appeared via videolink at Preston Crown Court yesterday.

The names of the 95 supporters who died when a crush occurred at the Sheffield Wednesday stadium during the semi-cup final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest were read out in court.

Graham Mackrell, former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary, pleaded not guilty to a charge of contravening a term or condition of the safety certificate of the stadium as well as one health and safety offence.

Mr Duckenfield had his application for the charges to be dismissed rejected by Mr Justice Openshaw earlier this year.

Both defendants are on conditional bail and a provisional trial date has been set for 14 January.