Hillsborough 25th anniversary: FA confirms all matches will start seven minutes later than scheduled

Football Association confirm all matches across the weekend of April 11-14 will start seven minutes later after the tragic disaster 25 years ago saw Liverpool v Nottingham Forest stopped after six minutes

Matches will kick-off seven minutes later to mark the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster (Getty Images)

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 on Friday.

The delay signifies the fact that the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest was abandoned after six minutes, at 3.06pm, 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 5.07pm and the following day Hull City v Sheffield United will begin at 4.07pm.

A minute's silence will also be observed around the grounds prior to kickoff.

Reuters