Apparel Range Withdrawn
Oxford United apologizes and withdraws clothing range referencing 9/11 terrorist attacks
Anonymous
Key Points
1
Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all 44 people aboard after passengers and crew members fought back against the hijackers; officials believe it was headed toward Washington, potentially the U.S. Capitol.
2
The 9/11 attacks killed 2,977 people and injured tens of thousands, according to the BBC’s account of the incident.
3
Oxford United began as an amateur club called Headington in 1893 and now competes in League One, the third tier of English soccer; it changed its name to Oxford United in 1960.
4
The incident also drew attention to the cultural legacy of Flight 93: a docudrama titled “United 93” about the hijacking and crash was released in 2006.
Oxford United, an English third-tier soccer club, has withdrawn a clothing line marked "United 93" and apologized after the slogan sparked outrage. The design referenced the club's founding year of 1893, but the phrase is also the call sign of Rediff reported the plane hijacked and crashed during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
The club said the Campus Collection was launched without understanding the historical associations tied to the date. Oxford United accepted responsibility for poor due diligence and began reviewing its approval procedures to prevent similar mistakes.
A Founding Year That Became a Tragedy Marker
Oxford United was founded in 1893 as an amateur club called Headington. The club changed its name to Oxford United in 1960 and now competes in League One, the third tier of English soccer. The "1893" label has become part of the club's identity for over 130 years.
The problem arose because "United 93" is also the call sign of American Airlines Flight 93. On September 11, 2001, hijackers took control of the plane. Passengers and crew members, learning about other attacks that morning, fought back against the hijackers.
Flight 93: Passengers Who Fought Back on 9/11
Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all 44 people aboard — 33 passengers, 7 crew members, and 4 hijackers. Officials believe the plane was headed toward Washington, D.C., potentially targeting the U.S. Capitol or another landmark. The passengers' actions likely prevented a larger tragedy.
The 9/11 attacks overall killed 2,977 people and injured tens of thousands, BBC reported. Flight 93 remains a symbol of civilian resistance during the deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil. A 2006 docudrama titled "United 93" documented the hijacking and crash, cementing the call sign in cultural memory.
Oxford United's Apology and Review of Process
Oxford United immediately withdrew the Campus Collection after the connection became public. KRRO reported the club said the apparel was launched without understanding its historical associations. The product launch page was also removed from the club's website.
The club accepted responsibility for inadequate due diligence in the design and approval process. Oxford United announced it would begin reviewing its approval procedures to prevent similar oversights in the future. The incident highlights how historical dates and commemorative symbols require careful attention before commercial use.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
23
Articles
133
Reach
156
A
AnonymousAuthor
