Late kick-offs to pay tribute to 96
The Premier League have today released the following statement regarding their plans to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough 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 April 11-14 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 April 15, 1989, was ended six minutes after kick-off, at 3.06pm.
The Premier League, Football League and Football Conference matches due to kick-off at 3pm on Saturday April 12 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 grounds.
The first FA Cup semi-final on Saturday April 12 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 April 13, 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 11, Saturday 12, Sunday 13 and Monday April 14 will observe the same etiquette with matches starting seven minutes later than originally scheduled.
Liverpool's match with Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday, April 13 will kick-off at 1.37pm.