THE sister of a Bromsgrove man who was killed in the Hillsborough disaster has criticised the sale of a Topman t-shirt, which has been accused of “mocking” the 96 who died.

The red shirt used the words “Karma” down one sleeve and a large ’96’ on the back, along with a rose and the words “What goes around comes back around.”

The design is an apparent reference to a Bob Marley song dating from 1996, but has caused upset among Hillsborough campaigners, Liverpool fans, and members of the public.

Louise Brookes, whose brother Andrew Mark Brookes died at the stadium, told the Advertiser: “It is four weeks until the 29th anniversary and something always happens just before and somebody causes upset.

“When I first saw the photo I gasped and thought ‘here we go again’.

“I started reading comments online that ‘karma’ was a brand but couldn’t find anything when I looked.

“Then somebody said about the t-shirt having a reference to a Bob Marley song which was released in 1996 but the wording is different, and they used 96 rather than 1996.

“For me it was the rose as the rose is very significant with Hillsborough.

“I found it very hard to believe that you have got all of these coincidence and the fact it is a red shirt as well. Why was it red? Why was there not a photo of Bob Marley?

“I found it too much of a coincidence.

“It is not the Hillsborough family, survivors or Liverpool fans overreacting – this issue was originally raised by a member of the public who has no emotional ties to the Hillsborough disaster.

“When you have the general public who are saying it, then we can’t all be wrong.

“I do think it was deliberate.”

Topman has since pulled the £20 t-shirt from its website and stores, but Louise is concerned that hundreds of people have already bought the item.

She added: “It does concern me and it would not surprise me if people bought them just to antagonise Liverpool fans in the future.

“In 29 years all we have heard from certain rival football fans is that Hillsborough was Gods punishment in relation to the Heysel disaster.

“Some of the families are really struggling since verdict day and it is things like this that add more distress and heartbreak.

“The 96 did nothing wrong. Football fans need to realise that Hillsborough could have happened to anyone. It could have happened to them or their relatives.

“How would they feel if people were mocking their loves ones?”

A Topman spokesman added: “Topman apologises unreservedly for any offence caused by this t-shirt.

“The design was inspired by a Bob Marley track with the number referring to the year of re-release. The garment has been removed from sale online and in stores."