Hillsborough cover-up perpetrators must be 'punished' says Liverpool born Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney

Fans and emergency personnel on the pitch at Hillsborough on the day of the disaster in April 1989 (Getty Images)

Police and emergency services made “strenuous attempts” to deflect the blame for the Hillsborough disaster onto innocent fans, newly published documents about the tragedy revealed today.

The disclosures were made by the Hillsborough Independent Panel, which has been overseeing the release of thousands of official documents relating to Britain's deadliest sporting disaster.

Prime Minister David Cameron offered a "profound" apology to the families of the 96 people who died, telling the House of Commons that the report made clear that "the Liverpool fans were not the cause of the disaster".

Here is how some of sport's leading names have reacted on Twitter:

"Everyone involved in the cover up of Hillsborough is a disgrace and need (to be) punished" - Manchester United striker and Liverpudlian Wayne Rooney.

"Very positive outcome. 23 yrs waiting for the truth next step justice" - Former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish.

"Remember being in Barcelona watching the tragedy unfold. 23 years on we learn the truth. 23 YEARS!! A national disgrace!" - Former Everton striker and broadcaster Gary Lineker.

"Justice For The 96 To the familes,hold your heads high today,you were right. You'll Never Walk Alone." - Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore.

"Sad day this is in British history. Hopefully, the annals of history are corrected. So that all those to come know the real truth... #JFT96... Not the *truth* that has been forced upon you for 23 years by the mainstream media and its puppets. The actual truth of what happened... Just sat alone, read the report and cried my eyes out. I dont know how anyone could do this to innocent people. Its wrong on so many levels... Everyone that signed the epetition. Anyone that ever voiced doubts over what the media told them or stood for the 96 and their families... Should be proud of themselves today. Be proud of what YOU have forced the government to do. Well done all involved. HJC-Official #JFT96" - Marseille midfielder and Liverpool-born Joey Barton expresses his views in a series of tweets.

"To an awful lot of people now you understand why we couldn't just get over it" - Ex-Reds defender Phil Thompson.

PA