Oxford United Apologises for ‘United 93’ Clothing Controversy

Oxford United have been forced into a public apology after launching a new clothing line featuring “United 93” on the back – the call sign of one of the planes hijacked during the 9/11 attacks.

The intention, the club said, was to nod to their roots. Oxford United were founded in 1893, and the “93” was meant to reference that year as part of the Campus Clothing range. Instead, the design replicated the identifier of United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, on 11 September 2001, killing all 44 people on board.

The club admitted the range had been released “without understanding of the historical context and associations” and moved quickly to pull it.

In a statement, Oxford United confirmed the entire Campus Clothing collection had been withdrawn and issued a clear apology.

“It should not have reached the point of sale and we take full responsibility for not undertaking proper due diligence,” the club said. “We have removed the collection with immediate effect and are reviewing our approval processes to ensure nothing like this happens again.”

Flight 93 became one of the most harrowing symbols of the 9/11 attacks. Hijacked by Al Qaeda terrorists, the plane went down in rural Pennsylvania after passengers attempted to overpower the hijackers. It is widely believed the aircraft was headed for the US Capitol Building in Washington DC. The story was later retold in the 2006 docudrama film United 93.

The wider 9/11 attacks saw 19 Al Qaeda members seize four commercial airliners. Two were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, causing both skyscrapers to collapse. Another struck the Pentagon, just outside Washington DC. In total, 2,977 people were killed and tens of thousands more were injured.

Oxford United’s misstep sits in stark contrast to the club’s modest origins. Formed in 1893 as an amateur side named Headington, they now compete in League One, the third tier of the English football pyramid.

The shirts will not return. The club now has to prove its new checks are as robust as its apology.