EFL club release statement after major 'error' sees kit reference 9/11 attacks

Oxford United have issued an apology after releasing a shirt that accidentally referenced one of the flights hijacked on 9/11.

In an effort to commemorate the club's founding year of 1893, Oxford United announced a new 'Campus Collection' set to be released in September.

The shirt, initially set to be launched around September 11, the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, was postponed and has now been removed 'with immediate effect' after the back of the shirt accidentally displayed wording associated with one of the hijacked flights.

Why Oxford United's 'United 93' shirt caused controversy

Images of the shirt with "United 93" - a reference to Oxford United and the club's founding year of 1893 - printed on the back were released to promote the new line.

However, United 93 is also closely associated with United Airlines Flight 93, the fourth and final passenger flight to be hijacked during the horrific attacks on September 11, 2001.

The hijackers had planned to crash the plane into a government building in Washington DC, but passengers and crew members fought back, leading to the plane crashing into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, killing all 44 people on board.

United 93 was one of four flights hijacked on 9/11, with two planes flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City while another struck the Pentagon, near Washington DC.

The attacks are remembered each year as one of the most tragic events in recent history, with 2,977 victims killed and thousands more injured.

Of course, it was not Oxford United's intention to reference Flight 93, with the shirt instead intended to commemorate when the club was founded in 1893 as an amateur club called Headington.

The collection was initially teased ahead of its planned September release before ultimately being withdrawn.

Oxford United apologise for 'United 93' shirt

After concerns were raised over the design, Oxford United withdrew the collection and released a statement online.

It 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."