Oxford United withdraws shirt line after United 93 reference controversy
Oxford United removed a clothing range that featured "United 93" on the back and issued an apology, saying the design ignored the historical significance of the 9/11 flight.
Oxford United announced that its Campus Clothing line, which included shirts bearing the label "United 93" on the back, has been withdrawn following criticism over the reference to the 9/11 hijacked aircraft. The club clarified that the design was meant to allude to its founding year of 1893, not the tragic flight. In a statement, Oxford United said the product should never have reached stores and accepted full responsibility for the oversight.
The collection has been taken off the market with immediate effect, and the club said it will review its internal approval processes to prevent similar errors. The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding symbols linked to the September 11 attacks.
Why it matters
It shows how sports brands can unintentionally invoke painful historical events, prompting corporate accountability.
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