LONDON, England (Reuters) – Matches across England will start seven minutes late over the weekend of April 11-14, to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster in which 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives, the FA said yesterday.The delay signifies the fact that the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was abandoned after six minutes, at 15:06hrs, following a deadly crush in the Leppings Lane End of Sheffield Wednesday’s ground.
Kickoffs will be delayed in both FA Cup semi-finals that weekend, as well as in the Premier League, the Football League and the fifth-tier Conference division.
Wigan Athletic’s Wembley semi-final against Arsenal will kick off at 17:07hrs and the following day Hull City v Sheffield United will begin at 16.07hrs.
A minute’s silence will also be observed around the grounds prior to kickoff.