Hillsborough disaster: watchdog to launch biggest ever inquiry into police

IPCC to investigate 1989 disaster and aftermath as Crown Prosecution Service says it will consider criminal charges

The deputy chair of the police watchdog unveils the 'largest ever independent inquiry' into the actions of the police in the UK Link to this video

The independent police watchdog is to launch a major, wide-ranginginvestigation into allegations of misconduct by South Yorkshire police, West Midlands police and others arising from the Hillsborough independent panel report published last month.

The director of public prosecutions (DPP), Kier Starmer, has also announced that he will immediately review all the evidence in the 395-page report to decide whether new charges of manslaughter can be brought.

"I have now concluded that the Crown Prosecution Service should consider all the material now available in relation to the tragic events of 15 April 1989, including material made available by the independent panel," Starmer said.

"The purpose of this investigation is to identify what the focus of any further criminal investigation should be in order for the CPS to determine whether this is now sufficient evidence to charge any individual or corporate body with any criminal offence."

The DPP will look into the potential for new manslaughter charges, while the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) will investigate the aftermath of the tragedy and identify possible criminal offences or disciplinary action.

"We are going to be launching an independent investigation into those new matters. We've carried out a review of the report and begun looking at the 450,000 pages of underlying evidence. We have identified a large number of potential criminal and misconduct offences," said Deborah Glass, the deputy chair of the IPCC.

"The potential criminal misconduct offences fall into two broad categories. There are allegations that go to the heart of what happened at Hillsborough and allegations about what happened afterwards."

The investigation, the biggest ever independent review of the police in the UK, will look into allegations that police officers' statements were changed and that misleading information was passed to the media and parliament.

It will primarily focus on South Yorkshire police, in charge on the day of the tragedy, and West Midlands police, who carried out an investigation into their colleagues.

It will also investigate the actions of the police after the disaster including claims that families were asked about the drinking habits of the deceased and that computer checks were undertaken to see whether they had criminal records. The decision to take the blood alcohol levels of the deceased will also be examined.

"A large number of current and former officers will be under investigation, including Sir Norman Bettison," Glass said.

Bettison, the West Yorkshire chief constable who was at the match as a spectator and later took part in an internal inquiry, announced earlier this month that he planned to take early retirement.

The report showed that he took part in the preparation of a video presenting the police's version of events. He was accused by the Labour MP Maria Eagle of being part of a "black ops" unit designed to cover up the police's role in the disaster.

The IPCC said it would also investigate a second complaint from the West Yorkshire Police Authority that Bettison had tried to influence it over its referral.

"At the moment, we don't actually know which officers we're investigating. This will be the largest independent inquiry that has been launched into the actions of the police in the United Kingdom," said Glass.

It will take several months to scope the extent of the inquiry. There are believed to be 200 officers on duty on the day who are still serving in the South Yorkshire police force.

The Hillsborough independent panel, which reported last month after being asked to re-examine all the circumstances around the disaster with full unrestricted access to all related documents, reasserted that fans were in no way at fault and for the first time laid bare the extent of the police cover-up.

It reaffirmed the findings of the Taylor report published in the wake of the disaster, which showed that it was caused by the unsafe stadium and the police.

It also showed how by the evening of the disaster South Yorkshire police had already begun a process of constructing an alternative narrative that blamed drunken fans.

Of 141 police statements substantially changed in the wake of the disaster, 116 were altered to remove negative comments about the policing operation.

"The alleged nature of some of the amendments may amount to the criminal offences of perverting the course of justice or misconduct in public office. The deliberate alteration of statements may also raise misconduct offences in relation to honesty and integrity," said Glass.

The IPCC said the aftermath of the disaster had never been investigated and it has sought assurances from the home secretary that it will have sufficient resources to do so.

It will also investigate new claims contained in the report that senior officers may have lied about whether they knew the central tunnel into the Leppings Lane end of the stadium was closed at semi-finals in previous years (1981, 1987 and 1988) to prevent overcrowding.

In the immediate aftermath of the disaster, it was decided in August 1990 that no charges of manslaughter could be brought against the police, Sheffield Wednesday, the consultant stadium engineers Eastwoods or Sheffield city council.

The QCs who examined the evidence on behalf of the DPP also examined the case for bringing manslaughter and culpable misfeasance charges against individuals including Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield, the match commander, but recommended that none be brought against any individual or organisation.

Action by the Police Complaints Authority also came to nothing, with Duckenfield retiring due to ill health in October 1991. A private prosecution brought by members of the Hillsborough Family Support Group against Duckenfield and Superintendent Bernard Murray led to a trial at Leeds crown court in 2000. Murray was acquitted and the jury was unable to reach a verdict on Duckenfield.

The attorney general, Dominic Grieve, has yet to decide whether to apply to the high court to quash the existing verdict of accidental death for the 96 who were killed and order a new inquest.

That would normally have to wait until criminal charges were brought, but the coroner could to proceed without them.

Rio Ferdinand again out of England squad as Ryan Shawcross gets call

Rio Ferdinand has been left out of the England squad again by Roy Hodgson. Photograph: David Cannon/Getty Images

Rio Ferdinand has been left out of the England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino and Poland despite John Terry's retirement from international football. Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross has been selected as one of Roy Hodgson's four central defenders.

Ferdinand was overlooked for Euro 2012 for "footballing reasons" by Hodgson, therefore avoiding a potential clash with Terry. However with the Chelsea captain no longer available there had been speculation that the 33-year-old, who has not played for England in more than a year, would return.

Instead Shawcross has been preferred, and Gary Cahill, Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka have retained their places.

After missing England's first two qualifiers – a win in Moldova and a home draw with Ukraine – Wayne Rooney has been recalled following injury, while the on-loan West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has also recovered from the hamstring problem that kept him out of the last squad.

There are three left-backs in the squad. Arsenal's Kieran Gibbs has replaced Chelsea's Ryan Bertrand but the battle for a place in the starting line-up will be between Leighton Baines and Ashley Cole.

In midfield, Aaron Lennon has earned a recall after an impressive run of form for Tottenham and despite having not played for England since the 2010 World Cup.

Birmingham City's Jack Butland has been released to the Under-21s for their European Championship play-off with Serbia, leading to Celtic's Fraser Forster becoming a rare England selection from the Scottish Premier League.

Goalkeepers: Forster, Hart, Ruddy

Defenders: Baines, Cahill, Cole, Gibbs, Jagielka, G Johnson, Lescott, Shawcross, Walker

Midfielders: Carrick, Cleverley, Gerrard, A Johnson, Lennon, Lampard, Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Walcott

Forwards: Carroll, Defoe, Rooney, Welbeck

Roberto Mancini angered by Joe Hart's 'we threw it away' City verdict

• Goalkeeper disappointed after Real Madrid recover to win 3-2
• Manager Mancini says City need to 'learn more courage'

Manchester City's Joe Hart is beaten by a shot from Karim Benzema, left in white, which brought Real Madrid level late in their Champions League match. Photograph: Felix Ordonez/Reuters

Roberto Mancini vented his anger on Joe Hart after the England goalkeeper criticised his Manchester City team-mates for letting slip a 2-1 lead over Real Madrid at the end of a frantic opening Champions League group game.

All five goals in Real's 3-2 win were scored in the final 21 minutes as City twice took the lead before Cristiano Ronaldo grabbed the late winner. Hart, who will be disappointed he did not save the winger's shot, said: "It's not on. You can't go 2-1 up and lose the game. We can only blame ourselves. They are a very good team and so are we. We dug deep, got a lead twice and threw it away. It's hard to come off the field after losing 3-2 and be positive."

Mancini retorted: "Joe Hart should stay in goal and make saves. If anyone should criticise the team it should be me, not Joe Hart. I am the judge, not Joe Hart."

Edin Dzeko's second-half opener was levelled by Marcelo before Alexsandar Kolarov's free-kick five minutes from time looked likely to secure a famous win for City. But Karim Benzema's finish and Ronaldo's winner secured all three points for José Mourinho's team.

Of Vincent Kompany, who ducked under Ronaldo's shot, Mancini said: "I don't know why – I saw the goal, but I haven't asked him why this happened. Usually he doesn't do this, but the mistake is that he did. We are disappointed for this. You can meet Madrid and lose. We didn't play well in the first half, but by the second half we played well.

"We should have paid more attention. We should learn more courage sometimes. We have international players, we can improve and we should be disappointed that we have lost this point. When you play here, it is not easy. We can leave all the space for Real, but we did what we wanted and scored two goals. The only mistake we made was going too deep with the team."

City are yet to keep a clean sheet this season and Mancini said: "It's difficult to take, not because we lost. You can lose against a team like Real, but also because, with three minutes to go, we were 2-1 up. This is strange. I think we need to improve the situation because we go too deep sometimes and leave the opponents to play easy on the edge of the box."

In a tough group which features four domestic champions, Borussia Dortmund beat Ajax 1-0. "Other teams will lose here," Mancini added. "t is important that we beat Dortmund in the next game."

For Mourinho this was a welcome return to winning form after his side lost 1-0 at Sevilla on Saturday. "For me, this is typical of Real Madrid's DNA," he said. "More important is being proud of the team, no matter the result. I keep saying this to the players, when the feeling is that not in right direction, Real can lose matches fighting like animals like they did, but they cannot lose as they did in Getafe and Sevilla. We continued, we drew level and we carried on."

Australia v Ireland – as it happened

Australia beat Ireland by seven wickets in their opening match of the World Twenty20 thanks in part to a superb 51-run hit from Shane Watson

Shane Watson. Photograph: Lakruwan Wanniarachchi/AFP/Getty Images

Good morning and welcome to game two of day two of the fourth World Twenty20. The hosts, Sri Lanka, got things underway on Tuesday in romping style, beating Zimbabwe by 82 runs in Hambantota, and now, in group B, it's the turn of the 2010 runners-up, Australia, to show what they can do.

But, wait, who's this they're facing. It's only Ireland, folks, a nation that knows how to create a 50-over shock (Pakistan, 2007, England, 2011) and will be looking to do the same over 20 overs in Colombo today.

A question: Would it really be a shock if Ireland were to defeat the
Aussies? After all, they were ahead of them in the World T20 rankings
until very recently (it's now Australia - 9th, Ireland - 10th), and have a side that can undoubtedly play a bit, combining the big-hitting qualities of Paul Sterling and Kevin O'Brien with the exciting spin of George Dockrell. Then there is Will Porterfield and Boyd Rankin, who have just helped Warwickshire to the county championship, and Ed Joyce, who is remains a class act.

Saying that, Australia remain a force and will be looking to their likely opening pair of David Werner and Shane Watson to use the batting friendly conditions at the Premadasa Stadium to thwack their side to a decent total. In attack, all eyes will be on the exciting Mitchell Starc, whose pace and swing should be a test for any one.

An intriguing battle awaits, then. It all gets going in an hour ...

Ireland have won the toss and decided to bat. Team news to come....

Teams are in:
Ireland Will Porterfield (capt), 2 Paul Stirling, 3 Ed Joyce, 4 Niall O'Brien, 5 Gary Wilson (wk), 6 Kevin O'Brien, 7 Trent Johnston, 8 George Dockrell, 9 Nigel Jones, 10 Boyd Rankin, 11 Alex Cusack. 
Australia Shane Watson, 2 David Warner, 3 Mike Hussey, 4 George Bailey (capt), 5 Cameron White, 6 Glenn Maxwell, 7 Matthew Wade, 8 Dan Christian, 9 Brad Hogg, 10 Pat Cummins, 11 Mitchell Starc.

10.54am: Players out in Colombo. It's a humid, sticky day. That might explain why only 10 people have turned out to watch this. Talk about sparse.

10.58am: Nationals anthems done, hands shaken, some crazy music now being played over the PA system as Porterfield and Stirling make their way to the middle.

10.59am: Shane Watson to open the bowling for Australia. Porterfield on strike.

WICKET!! Portferfield c Starc b Watson 0 Blimey, what a start. Watson threw in a short one that Porterfield decided to hook - it caught his top-edge and was taken by Starc at long leg. First-ball, terrible start for the Irish.

1st over: Ireland 4-1 (Stirling 4, Joyce 0) Well's that some opening. The Ireland captain was caught out first ball, his team then started to play nervously against more short stuff from Watson and almost lost another wicket to a run out before Striling got them off the mark by driving a length ball over extra cover.

2nd over: Ireland 6-1 (Stirling 5, Joyce 1) Sterc next up with the new ball for Australia and, bowling over the wicket, has restricted Ireland to a couple of extra runs by bowling a full-ish length. Joyce off the mark with one that was flicked away backward of square.

3rd over: Ireland 13-1 (Stirling 7, Joyce 6) First over for Cummins and it's a tad expensive, mainly due to the second ball of the over which had a poor line and allows Joyce to flick one off leg stump to deep square where it just about trickles over the boundary.

WICKET!! Stirling c Watson b Sterc 7 Another blow for Ireland as Sterling is taken by Watson at third man. The opener was finding his range but, similar to Porterfield, decided to hook a short, wider one, which sailed to deep and was taken well by Watson as he ran around the delivery.

4th over: Ireland 16-2 (Joyce 8, N O'Brien 0) Just when it looked as if Ireland were finding their feet after an extremely nervous start, they lost the second of their opening batsman. Credit to Australia who are bowling well and look sharp in the field.

5th over: Ireland 24-2 (Joyce 16, N O'Brien 0) Pressure on Joyce now to build a score and he'll be pleased to have hit two fours off this over. He pushed Cummins' second ball to mid-on where Watson mis-timed his slide over the ball and allowed it to run underneath his body to the boundary. Joyce then pulled a short ball that was pitched just outside off stump through mid-wicket for his second boundary of the over. Much better stuff from the Irish.

We have our first email of the day and it's come from Graham O'Reilly:
"Could anything be sillier than Australia being rated 10th in the world at T20 ? As the wise man almost said, there are lies, damned lies, statistics and cricket ratings."

A talking point, certainly.

WICKET!! Joyce c Warner b Maxwell 7 Dear, oh dear, oh dear. Glenn Maxwell has been brought into the attack and with his fifth ball of his first over he's snared Joyce into slapping one over the top. It sailed into the hands of David Warner. The nerves are back.

6th over: Ireland 29-3 (N O'Brien 1, Wilson 4) Another wicket lost and Ireland look in real trouble. A run-rate of 4.83 sums up the nervousness with which they've played so far. It's been undecisive, sloppy stuff. At least the over ended with Wilson, the next man in, playing a lovely, delicate drive between cover and mid-off for four.

7th over: Ireland 33-3 (N O'Brien 4, Wilson 5) Dan Christian brought into the attack and it's pretty solid stuff from him. O'Brien gets a couple off a wide-ish ball and another from the next ball playing outside off. Wilson also gets one with a pull shot which, thankfully for Ireland, finds deep square as opposed to the hands of an Aussie fielder.

WICKET!! Wilson lbw b Hogg 5 Brad Hogg brought in and he's snared Wilson with his second ball, a turning delivery that straightens on pitch. Wilson attempted to play across the line. It's plumb.

8th over: Ireland 36-4 (N O'Brien 6, K O'Brien 1) More woe for Ireland as Hogg makes his experience county. Kevin O'Brien comes in for Wilson and we all know he can hit it around a fair bit. Will have to let a few go if Ireland are to do anything in this match. At least he got off the mark with one that was pushed to covers.

9th over: Ireland 41-4 (N O'Brien 6, K O'Brien 1) Watson back into the attack and he's restricted the O'Briens to a few tickly singles and one double off the fourth ball from Kevin. Ireland hardly look like a team in a rush to make runs.

The highlight of the over had to be this from Bumble: "I've got an I-pad. My wife's got an I-ron." Genius.

An interesting email from Stephen Pendle:
"Ireland should be ok at 20-20 as most games here are only 70 to 90 minutes long (hurling, football, soccer, rugby)………it is all about concentration span. How can one expect a test team like Australia to be able to play when there isn't time to talk about seagulls in the outfield."

10th over: Ireland 46-4 (N O'Brien 9, K O'Brien 8) Some decent shots played by the O'Brien brothers off the bowling off Hogg, in particular a sweep from Niall that got him two runs. The O'Briens have 13 runs off 16 balls; the closest thing Ireland have got to a partnership so far today.

David Sloan has been in touch:
"Re: Graham O'Reilly's comment - I'd have to agree. Australia are a plucky little island nation, but there's no way they should be in the top-10." A comment that is looking less smirk-inducing as this match goes on.

12th over: Ireland 62-4 (N O'Brien 14, K O'Brien 19) Much better stuff from Ireland, and Kevin O'Brien in particular who notches up two fours in two balls off the bowling off Hogg, the second a shot picked from the hands and cut through the off side.

13th over: Ireland 69-4 (N O'Brien 14, K O'Brien 25) Christian back on the strike but Kevin O'Brien is the man on the attack, and in more ways than one. He's hit seven off this over, including a four made with a lovely driven shot to mid-off, and also had a word with the umpire, Kumar Dharmasena, about the grief he's been getting off the Aussies, David Warner in particular.

14th over: Ireland 81-4 (N O'Brien 16, K O'Brien 35) Kevin O'Brien has definitely found his feet - two more fours from him off the bowling off Starc, the first a pulled shot, the second a baseball-like drive that sailed through the off-side. He opened up his stance and just belted that. Great stuff.

WICKET!! N O'Brien b Watson 20 Watson strikes again, tricking Niall with a slower ball that is missed by a sweep and thuds the wickets. Ireland's best partnership has ended.

WICKET!! K O'Brien c Wade b Watson 35 Oh that's a huge, huge blow. Kevin O'Brien follows his brother back to the pavilion and having played an exciting innings by nicking a short ball behind him and into the hands off the wicketkeeper.

15th over: Ireland 86-6 (A Cusack 1) Fantastic over from Watson who takes the wickets off both O'Brien brothers, mixing up the slower stuff with some shorter balls.

16th over: Ireland 91-6 (A Cusack 3, T Johnston 3) We're into formality stage now but Hogg will, nevertheless, be peeved at allowing some runs to leak from this over. Only one dot-ball.

17th over: Ireland 101-6 (A Cusack 8, T Johntson 7) Cummins back on strike and, as it's been pointed out by the commentary team, facing two Aussies in Cusack and Johnson. The former cracks a lovely four from the second ball, driving a ball outside off on the up. Johnston then got into the act himself, finding the boundary by lifting the ball over Wade's head. Ireland have their century at least now.

WICKET!! Johnston b Starc 7 And another man has gone and Starc has his second wicket of the day with a superb yorker from over the wicket. It slammed the bottom of off stump.

18th over: Ireland 105-7 (A Cusack 9, Jones 4) Some more fine bowling from Starc as he chucks in some meaty yorkers. New man Nigel Jones is able to get off the mark, however, making two from the fifth ball with a square drive.

19th over: Ireland 111-7 (A Cusack 12, Jones 6) Expensive bowling from Cussack who struggled to find a decent length, particularly to Cummins.

20th over: Ireland 123-7 (A Cusack 15, Jones 14) A needlessly expensive final over from the otherwise excellent Watson. A slow, short bouncer allowed Jones to shift one away to square leg for Ireland's first six of the match. He followed that up with a wide outside off and Cusack and Jones were able to make 12 from the over and pad out an otherwise disappointing total from Ireland, one that was beefed up earlier by the O'Brien brothers. This still looks way short however thanks to some aggressive, varied bowling from the Aussies and some big-stage nerves from Ireland. Their innings got of to the worst start when Will Porterfield was caught out in the very first ball of the match. Shane Watson ends with Australia's best figures of 3-26.

Australia need 124 to win. Back soon.

1st over: Australia 6-0 (Warner 5, Watson 1) A lively start to the Australia innings as Aleem Dar is forced to step in and have a word with the players and tell them to stop the chat - Ireland's wicketkeeper Gary Watson is giving some to David Warner and Shane Watson, no doubt the result of the 'abuse' Ireland were getting from the same pair when they were out in the middle (see pic). Meanwhile, the Aussies start in solid fashion with Warner getting a four from the fifth ball of Boyd Rankin's first over, pulling a shortish delivery towards mid-on.

2nd over: Australia 9-0 (Warner 5, Watson 3) Three gone from Trent Johnston's first over of the match with Watson making his mark with a couple of tidy singles.

3rd over: Australia 21-0 (Warner 6, Watson 10) This has been a good batting wicket and the Aussies are using it better already than Ireland did, playing the pace from the surface to move the ball around the field, seen best by the four Watson has got off Rankin, deflecting an angled-in ball through fine leg. There is more frustration for Ireland as a leading edge from the man on strike loops over mid-on and to safety. Rankin is having a nightmare - he had bowled four wides in this never-ending over.

4th over: Australia 40-0 (Warner 11, Watson 24) A terrible start from Johnston as he bowls a wide delivery from his first ball that Warner is able to drive for four. Watson than reaches the boundary himself, pulling a short ball backward of square. Oh, look, another four from Watson, punishing another wide delivery, this time through the off side....and a six! Watson punishes Johnston further with a shot on the leg side. A terrible over for Ireland, letting three fours and a six go. Australia in total, total control.

5th over: Australia 44-0 (Warner 11, Watson 24) Alex Cusack is brought into the attack and, bowling over the wicket, he is able to curb Australia's flow a little. Three singles and a leg bye given away.

6th over: Australia 53-0 (Warner 20, Watson 26) Bit of excitement in Colombo as 20-year-old George Dockrell is brought into the attack to show off his skillful left-arm spin. He struggles to find his length, though, and Warner is able to knock a full-ish ball at off stump for four. The over ends with the same man getting three runs, this time from a short delivery.

7th over: Australia 60-0 (Warner 26, Watson 27) A little bit of history created as Warner becomes the third man in history to score 1,000 runs in Twenty20 cricket with a four flicked backward of square from yet another wide ball. The other men to reach 1,000 runs? Brendon McCullum and some guy called Kevin Pietersen.

WICKET!! Warner c K O'Brien b Dockrell 26 A breakthrough for Ireland as Warner flicks a delivery from Dockrell to the leg side where it is well caught by O'Brien on the dive.

8th over: Australia 64-1 (Watson 29, Hussey 2) Mike Hussey comes out to bat for Australia and does not take long getting off the mark, moving a full delivery towards long on.

9th/10 over: Australia 91-1 (Watson 51, Hussey 7) Paul Stirling comes back into the attack and becomes the latest man to get smacked around the ground by Watson. Australia's No33 gets a four from an off-spinner that was pitched outside leg-stump and then a six from one that was pitched short. Dockrell then comes into the attack and is also mauled by Watson as he gets another four, stepping back and smashing a short ball over the bowlers head, and another six, this an absolute screamer that sees the ball land in the second tier of the stadium. Watson's gone past 50 and is looking to finish Ireland off on his own.

WICKET!! Watson run out 51 A shame as Australia's man on fire is caught short by Johnston's throw. It was a lazy run by the batsman.

WICKET!! Hussey lbw 10 Another wicket for Kevin O'Brien, catching Hussey with a delivery that shaped back late as Hussey pushed forward.

11th over: Australia 95-3 (White 1) A terrific over from Kevin O'Brien, building on his terrific batting display with some decent bowling. Cameron White and George Bailey are now batting for the Aussies.

12th over: Australia 100-3 (White 4, Bailey 1) Rankin back into the attack and there's some sloppiness on show as K O'Brien fumbles in the field when a clean pick-up would have given Ireland a run-out chance, and then Rankin himself bowls a wide. There then comes frustration for Ireland as Johnston is unable to hold onto White's drive over the top of the bowler with a diving catch. It was a good effort and did at least prevent a boundary.

13th over: Australia 103-3 (White 7, Bailey 1) K O'Brien back in attack but unable to follow his previous blast of an over with another. No boundary's given away, at least, but it's now only a matter of time before Australia wrap this up.

14th over: Australia 110-3 (White 7, Bailey 6) A sluggish over ends in style as Bailey pulls a short ball from Rankin away for a four. Getting closer...

15th over: Australia 121-3 (White 18, Bailey 6) White picks up where Bailey left off by driving K O'Brien for four on the leg side. He finds the boundary again soon after in the deep. Nearly all over.

16th over: Australia 125-3 (White 18, Bailey 6) That's it then, Australia beat Ireland by seven wickets, crowning their opening victory of this World Twenty20 in apt style - White lofting a four over the leg side and towards midwicket. It was only a matter of time after the Aussies had started their innings on fire with openers David Warner and Shane Watson picking off Ireland in style. Watson reached 51 before getting out to a lazy run out and that led to a slowing down of the Aussie run-rate, but they were never going to be denied and where eventually brought home by Cameron White and George Bailey. Ireland, having made a terrible start and finding themsleves at 4-33 at one stage, were soundly beaten. Nerves appeared to get the better off them. They will hope for better in their next Group B match, which is against West Indies on 24 September.

Australia beat Ireland by seven wickets.

David Silva signs new five-year contract at Manchester City

• Midfielder's new deal worth £120,000 a week plus bonuses• Spaniard delighted to have committed future to champions

David Silva has given Manchester City a boost by signing a new contract with the club. Photograph: Andrew Yates/AFP/Getty Images

David Silva has pledged his long-term future to Manchester City by agreeing a new five-year contract worth £120,000 a week plus performance-related bonuses.

The Spaniard, whose new deal will run out in 2017, has followed in the footsteps of Joe Hart and Vincent Kompany by signing a new contract at City.

"I'm very pleased because I've been here for two years now and I feel very happy here at the club, in the city and with all the people," said Silva. "So now I'm delighted to be extending my contract and being here really does feel just like home for me.

"We've won the Premier League title and two other trophies too, and the team is growing and we are now aiming at the Champions League and so that also is another reason to want to stay here and try and win it. As I said, I feel very comfortable here and I want to try and win trophies like those.

"These last two years have gone very well and so let's hope that the next five go as well or even better. The fans have always given me their support since I arrived here, and recently they've been wanting me to sign, so hopefully this goes someway to thanking them for the affection they've shown towards me, something which also helped me decide to put pen to paper."

F1 leads the tributes for Sid Watkins, its long-time medical delegate

• Watkins dies at 84, 26 years of which were spent at trackside
• He saved my life at Imola 94, says Rubens Barrichello

Bernie Ecclestone has a word with Sid Watkins, right, at the San Marino Grand Prix in 2004, his last year in the role as F1's medical delegate. Photograph: Christian Fischer/Bongarts/Getty Images

Formula One has been paying tribute to its former medical delegate Sid Watkins, who died on Wednesday evening at the age of 84.

Watkins, a wise-cracking neurosurgeon with a love of cigars and whisky, was F1's on-track surgeon from 1978 until 2004, his crusade to improve medical facilities helping to dramatically cut the number of deaths and serious injuries in the sport.

His actions helped save the lives of Northern Ireland's Martin Donnelly, Finland's two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen and the Austrian Gerhard Berger, among others.

"Sid made a unique contribution to motor sport, particularly in improving safety for F1 drivers, officials and spectators around the world," the sport's governing body, the FIA, said in a statement. "He was highly respected as an acclaimed neurosurgeon, F1 medical delegate, chairman of the FIA Expert Advisory Safety Committee, and as the first president of the FIA Institute. Sid's experience, intelligence and endearing humour will be forever greatly missed."

The FIA's president Jean Todt said: "This is a truly sad day for the FIA family and the entire motor sport community. Sid was loved and respected in equal measure, by all those who knew and worked with him. We will always be grateful for the safety legacy that he has left our sport."

Gerard Saillant, the FIA Institute president, added: "Sid was a true gentleman of our sport and always a pleasure to work with. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him, from doctors and drivers to officials and fans. Sid's influence will live on for many years to come."

The McLaren chairman and former team principal Ron Dennis added: "The world of motor racing has lost one of its true greats. No, he wasn't a driver. No, he wasn't an engineer. No, he wasn't a designer. He was a doctor and it's probably fair to say he did more than anyone, over many years, to make Formula One as safe as it is today.

"Many drivers and ex-drivers owe their lives to his careful and expert work, which resulted in the massive advances in safety levels that today's drivers possibly take for granted."

Rubens Barrichello, an F1 veteran for 19 seasons, tweeted: "It was Sid Watkins that saved my life in Imola 94. great guy to be with, always happy... tks for everything u have done for us drivers. RIP."

Bruno Senna, nephew of the three-time world champion Ayrton, who was tended to by Watkins following his fatal crash at the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, said: "RIP Prof. Sid Watkins. Sad news for us who stay behind."

F1's current medical delegate Gary Hartstein, who spent seven years under Watkins' wing, said: "For a long time I wanted to call him every time I had to make a decision. Then I just started thinking: 'What would he do in this situation?'

"And finally, for better or for worse, I realised I was doing just what he'd do [but probably not as well]. When I told him this a few years ago, he smiled and said: 'Of course old boy. You've had a bloody great teacher.

"It took me a few years before I actually called him Sid. It was at Spa, maybe 1993, and I asked him if I could. And he said: 'The bums sleeping on the stairs of my hospital call me Sid, I don't see why you shouldn't'.

"He kinda had a big place in my life for a long time. Just about the most extraordinary person I've known."

Watkins worked tirelessly to improve safety in the cockpit, on the track, and the medical support at circuits, alongside the likes of Scotland's three-time world champion Sir Jackie Stewart and the former FIA president Max Mosley.

During his time as medical delegate, he witnessed at first hand the deaths of drivers like Sweden's Ronnie Peterson, who died after an accident in 1978, Roland Ratzenberger and Ayrton Senna.

Watkins' interest in motorcycling dated from his childhood in Liverpool, where his family had a bike shop and garage.

After qualifying at the Liverpool University Medical School, he trained as a neurosurgeon at the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford before becoming professor of neurosurgery in New York, where he regularly attended races at nearby Watkins Glen.

Watkins became the first professor of neurosurgery at the London Hospital in 1970, when he was also appointed to the RAC medical panel.

He was approached by Bernie Ecclestone in 1978, shortly before the death of Peterson at Monza, to become an on-track surgeon at grands prix and he was also the chief medical officer for the FIA.

Upon stepping down, Watkins focused on his role as the president of the FIA Institute for Motor Sport Safety through to December 2011, continuing only in an honorary position.

In his book Life at the Limit: Triumph and Tragedy in Formula One, Watkins wrote of Senna's final days and how distraught the Brazilian was at Ratzenberger's death in qualifying.

Advising Senna not to race, he added: "In fact, why don't you give it up altogether? What else do you need to do? You have been world champion three times, you are obviously the quickest driver. Give it up and let's go fishing.".

Senna's reply, the last words he spoke to Watkins, was simple: "Sid, there are certain things over which we have no control. I cannot quit, I have to go on."

Hillsborough disaster: FA chairman David Bernstein offers apology

• 'We are deeply sorry [it] occurred at a venue the FA selected'• Ground did not have valid safety certificate for 1989 semi-final

Liverpool fans try to escape during the Hillsborough disaster. The ground did not have a valid safety certificate for the game. Photograph: David Giles/PA

The Football Association chairman David Bernstein has offered "a full and unreserved apology" to all those affected by the Hillsborough disaster.

The Hillsborough Independent Panel's report into the events at the FACup semi-final 23 years ago revealed a police cover-up had taken place which had intended to shift blame for the disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans, to the victims themselves. The ground did not have a valid safety certificate at the time of the match. Sheffield Wednesday apologised on Wednesday and Bernstein has now followed suit.

He said in a statement: "We are deeply sorry this tragedy occurred at a venue the FA selected. This fixture was played in the FA's own competition, and on behalf of the Football Association I offer a full and unreserved apology and express sincere condolences to all of the families of those who lost their lives and to everyone connected to the City of Liverpool and Liverpool Football Club."

Bernstein commended the work of the panel in compiling the report and expressed sympathy for the families. He added: "This should never have happened. Nobody should lose their lives when setting out to attend a football match and it is a matter of extreme regret and sadness that it has taken so long for these findings to be published and the truth to be told.

"For 23 years the families have suffered unbearable pain and we have profound sympathy for them. I would like to commend the professional work of the Hillsborough Independent Panel, while also recognising the tireless commitment shown by so many people in maintaining the fight for justice, particularly the family support groups.

"The FA has co-operated fully with the Independent Panel throughout this process and has released all documentation in line with their requests. I would also like to make clear that we will of course fully co-operate with any further inquiry. The FA and English football has changed immeasurably, and learnt many lessons in the last 23 years. Through advancements in safety and investment in facilities English football is now a much safer, more welcoming environment for supporters."

Thousands cheer British Olympians on streets of London

By Alessandra Rizzo and Kate Holton

LONDON, Sept 10 (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Britons took to the streets of London on Monday to cheer Olympic and Paralympic athletes, celebrating a summer of spectacular sport that surprised even the most optimistic by lifting the host nation's mood.

In scenes reminiscent of the Royal Jubilee and the 2011 wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, flag-waving fans crammed into the centre of the city to cheer the likes of Mo Farah, Jessica Ennis and David Weir.

Some 800 athletes rode atop 21 floats past many of the landmarks that made up the backdrop to the London Games, a day after the Paralympic closing ceremony brought an end to the 45-day festival of sport.

"It's been fantastic," said 39-year-old Sophie Edwards, alongside her four-year-old daughter Hannah. "It's been very inspiring - such a good message for the younger generation."

The sense of national pride generated by the successful running of the world's biggest sporting event contrasts with the sense of foreboding that built up before the Games, with the media questioning whether a country still in recession should be paying $14 billion to host a sports event.

A last minute failure by a private company to provide enough security guards also raised fears about the Games taking place under a heavy military presence as organisers called up extra armed forces personnel to police the event.

Instead the Games were deemed to have given Britain a much-needed lift, although, with years of government austerity ahead, questions remain over how long the feelgood factor will last.

"SEASON OF WONDER"

Some of the loudest cheers on Monday were for the thousands of unpaid volunteers who presented a welcoming face to visitors in a city not renown for its public displays of emotion.

"Sunday night marked the end of a season of wonder that seemed to surprise the hosts as much as the guests, a period where we looked in the mirror and were met by an unexpected reflection - one we rather liked," the Guardian newspaper said.

Prime Minister David Cameron, surrounded by volunteers on the doorstep to his Number 10 Downing Street residence, said the success of the athletes and the praise from visitors around the world had given the country a huge boost.

"It's brought the country together. I think 2012 will be like 1966 ... something that will continue to delight us long after this time has passed," he said, referring to England's sole victory at the soccer World Cup.

Britain also exceeded its ambitions in the performance of its athletes. The head of the International Paralympic Committee, Philip Craven, hailed the Games as the best Paralympics ever after it drew record crowds and millions watched on television.

The host nation finished third in the Olympic medal table - behind the United States and China but ahead of Russia, Korea and Germany - and third in the Paralympic medal table, behind China and Russia. ($1 = 0.6240 British pounds) (Editing by Louise Ireland)