Oxford United have apologised following the release of a clothing line featuring the phrase ‘United 93’ on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Nearly 3,000 people died during the 2001 attacks, when hijacked passenger planes operated by al Qaida hit New York’s World Trade Centre twin towers, causing them to collapse, and the Pentagon in Washington, DC.
A fourth hijacked aircraft – United Airlines Flight 93 – crashed in a rural field in Pennsylvania after crew members and passengers fought back, stopping it from hitting another target believed to be the Capitol Building.
Oxford noted that the Campus Collection range, which reportedly included an American football top and a baseball jersey marked with ‘United 93’, was introduced “without understanding of the historical context and associations”.
The club was formed in 1893, and earned promotion to the former Second Division in 1993.
A statement from the League One club read: “Oxford United would like to sincerely apologise for the recent launch of the Campus Collection.
“The range was released without understanding of the historical context and associations. It should not have reached the point of sale and we take full responsibility for not undertaking proper due diligence.
“We have removed the collection with immediate effect and are reviewing our approval processes to ensure nothing like this happens again.
“Once again, we would like to put on record our sincere apologies for this error and for any offence caused.”
Oxford’s apology comes a day after the Archbishop of Canterbury stripped a Muslim cleric of an award for past remarks he made about Osama bin Laden.
Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi received the award last Friday, the 25th anniversary of 9/11, presented by Dame Sarah Mullally for reconciliation and interfaith co-operation.
In 2007, while serving as head of the Pakistan Ulema Council group of Islamic clerics and scholars, the imam declared he would give bin Laden, the mastermind behind the 11 September terror attacks, the title Saifullah, meaning “Sword of God”, for “serving Muslims by waging jihad against infidels”.
A picture caption from last week stated Mr Ashrafi was being recognised “for his outstanding work as an ambassador of interfaith harmony in Pakistan”.
In a statement released on Thursday, Lambeth Palace said: “Previous comments made by Imam Ashrafi have come to light that have led Lambeth Palace to reconsider this award and we can now confirm today that the award has been withdrawn.”
