English Soccer Club Apologizes After ‘United 93’ Clothing Collection Sparks 9/11 Backlash
Oxford, England AP — English soccer club Oxford United has apologized for releasing a US-inspired clothing collection featuring “United 93” on the back, saying it was launched without recognizing the historical significance associated with the name.
The club, which competes in England’s third tier, said Friday that it had removed the collection from sale with immediate effect and launched a review of its approval procedures.
Oxford United was founded in 1893 as Headington FC before adopting its current name in 1960.
United Airlines Flight 93 was one of four planes hijacked during the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The aircraft was headed toward Washington, according to officials, but crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers and crew members attempted to take control of the cockpit from the hijackers.
In a statement, Oxford United issued a “sincere apology” for the launch of its Campus Collection. Local media reported that the range included an American football-style jersey and a baseball-style jersey.
“The range was released without understanding of the historical context and associations,” the club said. “It should not have reached the point of sale, and we take full responsibility for not undertaking proper due diligence.”
Oxford United said the collection had been removed immediately and that its internal approval processes were being reviewed to prevent a similar situation from happening again.
The webpage announcing the Campus Collection has also been removed.