Two former police officers and a solicitor have denied allegations of perverting the course of justice in the aftermath of the Hillsborough tragedy.
Ex-Chief Superintendent Donald Denton, former Detective Chief Inspector Alan Foster and Peter Metcalf entered their pleas on Monday morning.
Each faces two counts of doing acts with intent to pervert the course of public justice.
The accusations are linked to changes to police officer witness statements following the stadium disaster, which unfolded when Liverpool faced Nottingham Forest in an FA Cup semi-final on April 15, 1989.
Ninety six Liverpool supporters died as a result of a crush on the Leppings Lane terrace allocated to them at the Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield.
Denton, 83, and Foster, 74, worked for South Yorkshire Police, while Metcalf, 71, worked with the force following the tragedy.
Each stood to confirm their not guilty pleas as they appeared at The Lowry in Salford ahead of their trial.
The arts venue has been transformed into a Nightingale court during the pandemic.
The defendants were positioned in the stalls of the theatre as they entered their pleas while judge Mr Justice William Davis sat on the stage.
Their trial is scheduled to last up to 16 weeks.
A jury is expected to be selected on Tuesday.
