26 Face Manslaughter Trial in Belgium Soccer Riot

Twenty-six British soccer fans will be tried for manslaughter in the 1985 Heysel stadium riots that left 39 dead and 450 injured, a court ruled Friday.

Three Belgians will be tried on charges of involuntary homicide. No trial date has been set.

Twenty-five Liverpool soccer fans were arrested in Britain after photographs and television footage produced evidence they played an active role in the May 29, 1985, Heysel riots.

They were extradited and jailed in Belgium in September. Five were released since but will face trial. A 26th Liverpool supporter is being detained in Britain for other reasons but also will be tried here.

The difference in the charges leveled against the British fans and the Belgians is that deliberate intent is specified against the Britons, who are charged with “premeditated assault and battery resulting in involuntary homicide.”

The Belgians will be tried for lack of precautions in preparing the soccer match and lack of appropriate response once the rioting started.

The rioting broke out before a European soccer cup final, pitting Liverpool against Juventus Turin, when British supporters attacked Italian spectators who retreated in panic and crushed each other to death.