Oxford United Pulls ‘United 93’ Apparel Following Backlash Near 9/11 Anniversary
Oxford United apologizes and removes a new clothing line after the 'United 93' branding sparked controversy near the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
POLICY WIRE — Oxford, United Kingdom — Oxford United has issued a formal apology after the League One football club released a new clothing line that drew immediate criticism for its proximity to the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks.
The apparel, which was part of a Campus Collection intended to commemorate the club’s founding in 1893, featured the phrase United 93 printed on the back. The design inadvertently mirrored the call sign of United Airlines Flight 93, one of the four aircraft hijacked by al-Qaeda during the 2001 attacks.
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Club officials confirmed that the merchandise was removed from their official website just two hours after it was launched. In a statement, the organization expressed regret for the oversight, admitting that they failed to grasp the historical context and sensitive associations linked to the specific wording used on the garments.
The club stated it is sorry for any offense caused by the release of the collection. The incident has since prompted a review of the club’s branding and product development processes.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
