Documentary: Why English Clubs were Banned from Europe - The Heysel Disaster

TL;DR:
The 1985 Heysel Stadium disaster resulted in the tragic deaths of 39 Juventus fans due to violence involving Liverpool hooligans. This incident prompted a five-year ban on English clubs in European competitions and spurred essential reforms in stadium safety and the eventual establishment of the Premier League.

Key Takeaways:

• The disaster unfolded during the 1985 European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus in a dilapidated stadium selected by UEFA, despite the availability of better venues. 
• Inadequate planning—including poor ticket allocation and insufficient security—exacerbated tensions between the fans of Liverpool and Juventus.   
• The tragic event led to 39 fatalities and approximately 600 injuries, predominantly affecting Juventus supporters who were crushed against a collapsed wall while escaping the violence. 
• In response to this tragedy, UEFA imposed a five-year ban on all English clubs from European competitions, extending to six years for Liverpool specifically. 
• While the ban was controversial, it catalyzed notable enhancements in stadium safety protocols, stricter measures against hooliganism, and ultimately laid the groundwork for the formation of the Premier League.