European soccer’s governing body UEFA will pay tribute to Turkey and Syria earthquake victims at all Champions League and Europa League matches taking place this week, according to a statement released on Monday.
A moment of silence before kick-off “will be observed at four UEFA Champions League round of 16 first-leg games, eight UEFA Europa League knockout play-offs first-leg fixtures and eight UEFA Europa Conference League knockout play-offs first-leg matches,” UEFA said.
“During the pre-match ceremony and the moment of silence, a commemorative banner will be displayed on the field with the message ‘We Are Together With You’ in Turkish and Arabic language(s). The message will also be shown by TV broadcasters and on giant screens in each stadium. The LED boards around the stadiums will remain unlit during the moment of silence as a sign of deepest sympathy and full support to the Turkish and Syrian people,” UEFA added.
UEFA said they have made an “initial donation of $213,981 (€200,000) to support humanitarian efforts following earthquakes in Turkey and Syria” adding to their statement that “black armbands can be worn at the discretion of the teams and referees.”
The death toll across Turkey and Syria following Monday’s catastrophic earthquake has reached at least 36,217 according to officials.
Source: CNN
