Everton sorry for silence snub

Everton's clash with Liverpool was a stormy affair

Everton have apologised to relatives of victims of the Hillsborough disaster after a minute's silence had to be abandoned before the Merseyside derby.

Referee Jeff Winter cut short a silence that was scheduled to be observed in memory of the 12th anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy - and for victims of the Ellis Park stadium disaster in South Africa.

Liverpool fans - and Hillsborough support groups - were outraged after Everton supporters called out during the silence, causing chaos at the Easter Monday derby at Goodison Park.

The match that followed - which Liverpool won 3-2 with a Gary McAllister goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time - was a stormy affair with 12 bookings and a sending off for Liverpool's Igor Biscan.

Everton's Head of Corporate Affairs and Public Relations Ian Ross told BBC Sport Online: "We unreservedly condemn the actions of those responsible.

"A minute's silence is usually impeccably observed at Goodison Park. We never want to see a repeat, and everyone at the club was upset and disgusted by the actions of what we must stress was only a handful of supporters.

"I am sure most people will appreciate that Evertonians as well as Liverpool fans were touched by the Hillsborough tragedy, which makes this sort of incident even more reprehensible."

Trevor Hicks, chairman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, said he was "bitterly disappointed" by the outburst.

"It is a shame that this has happened on Merseyside because there has always been a respect for this sort of thing," he said. "The match did go out on television all around the world and it is a sad reflection on Merseyside."