The trial of Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield concluded today, with the 75-year-old found not guilty of the manslaughter of Liverpool supporters killed in the disaster.

The result will understandably spark emotion and no doubt some of that will spill online.

And with this case now over, there are no jurors who could be influenced by anything they read or hear.

This means there is more freedom to make comments specifically related to the former chief superintendent and his seven week trial.

Yet you must still take care if you want to express your thoughts more generally on social media.

This is because a separate trial is due to begin in April.

Three suspects face allegations linked to what happened in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster.

So if you are commenting after today’s verdicts it is best to stick to what happened before April 15, 1989 and on the day of the tragedy - the topics which fell under scrutiny in the trial and retrial of Duckenfield this year.

(Image: Julian Hamilton/Daily Mirror)

Those due to appear in court next year include the former Chief Superintendent Donald Denton and ex-Detective Chief Inspector Alan Foster.

Both worked for South Yorkshire Police and are charged with perverting the course of public justice.

The allegations are linked to changes made to witness statements following the disaster.

Peter Metcalf, the solicitor who acted for South Yorkshire Police during the Taylor Inquiry and the first inquests into the disaster, faces the same accusation.

Each indicated they would plead not guilty when they appeared at Warrington Magistrates’ Court in August 2018.

This means a jury will be selected to hear their trial at Preston Crown Court.

It also means care should still be taken when commenting online and nothing should be published that could cause a substantial risk of seriously prejudicing that case.

That essentially means nothing should be posted that could influence anyone who may end up on the jury.

Social media posts - whether a profile has 10 or 10,000 followers - should not suggest any suspect is guilty of the offence they have been accused of.

Doing so could provide a basis for a defendant to argue they can not get a fair hearing, potentially putting the trial at risk.

It could also lead to anyone who breaches contempt laws being prosecuted and appearing before the courts themselves.

Anyone found guilty could face up to two years in jail.