David Duckenfield, the match commander on duty on the day of the Hillsborough disaster, will stand trial for the manslaughter of 95 football supporters.
The former chief superintendent will face charges of culpability by gross negligence following a ruling by Sir Peter Openshaw at Preston Crown Court.
An order preventing Duckenfield from standing trial for offences related to the Hillsborough disaster was put in place 18 years ago, but Openshaw has now lifted it.
A total of 96 Liverpool supporters lost their lives in a crush at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between the Reds and Nottingham Forest, but 96th victim Tony Bland died from his injuries more than a year later, meaning that there can be no prosecution related to his death.
Four other men will go on trial for Hillsborough-related offences.
Former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell has been charged with health and safety violations, while solicitor Peter Metcalf and former police officers Donald Denton and Alan Foster have been charged with perverting the course of justice.
A hearing to determine whether former chief constable Sir Norman Bettison will stand trial has been adjourned until August.
