The Premier League and clubs across the Football League will not mark the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks during this weekend’s matches. The decision follows a change in approach adopted last year, with English football no longer holding automatic minute’s silences for global disasters. The shift came after a working group found that such gestures were losing their impact.
New guidance on tributes
English football will now only hold tributes for international incidents with a direct link to football. An example came last year when the two Manchester clubs observed a minute’s silence following an attack on a synagogue in the city.
A total of 67 Brits were killed 25 years ago on Friday in New York, following a series of atrocities in the United States that targeted the two World Trade Centre buildings. However, nothing is planned to remember the events, reports the Daily Mail.
No Premier League games scheduled
Friday marks a quarter of a century since the 9/11 attacks, but no Premier League games are scheduled. The only game that night is in the Championship, where West Ham United host Wrexham at the London Stadium.
On the tenth anniversary of 9/11 in 2011, a moment’s silence was held before both Premier League matches played on the Sunday, while players also wore black armbands.
Criticism over selective recognition
The FA have faced criticism for seemingly picking and choosing which events to recognise. They were previously called out after failing to light up the Wembley arch following the October 7 terror attacks in Israel in 2023, especially as they had previously done so in solidarity with Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.
As is done annually, sporting events across the US will continue to remember those who lost their lives on that day in September. At the New York Giants’ clash with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night, players, coaches and staff from both sides will wear commemorative hats on the sideline in recognition of first responders.
On Friday there is a baseball clash between the two New York franchises - the Yankees and the Mets - at the Yankee Stadium in the Bronx. They will host a series of pre-game ceremonies.
