English football to mark 25th anniversary of Hillsborough stadium disaster
As a mark of respect and remembrance for those who lost their lives as a result of the Hillsborough stadium disaster in April 1989, all Premier League, Football League, Football Conference and FA Cup matches taking place on the weekend of 11th-14th April will kick-off seven minutes later than originally scheduled.
The match at which the disaster took place, the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on 15th April 1989, was ended six minutes after kick-off, at 3:06pm.
In the Premier League, Football League, and Football Conference, matches due to kick-off at 3pm on Saturday 12th April will now kick off at 3:07pm, with the minute before kick-off (3:06pm to 3:07pm) seeing a period of silence observed at all stadia including Exeter City’s home tie against Cheltenham Town.
The first FA Cup semi-final on Saturday 12th April between Wigan Athletic and Arsenal will now kick-off at 5.07pm with a minute of silence between 5:06pm and 5:07pm. The following day, Sunday 13th April, will see Hull City v Sheffield United begin at 4.07pm with a minute of silence between 4:06pm and 4:07pm.
Fixtures kicking-off at other times on Friday 11th, Saturday 12th, Sunday 13th and Monday 14th April will observe the same etiquette with matches starting seven minutes later than originally scheduled.