All players and match officials in the UK’s Premier League will observe a moment of silence and wear a black armband this weekend, paying tribute to the victims of the earthquake in Morocco and floods in Libya.
“The Premier League is deeply saddened by the recent tragic events in Morocco and Libya,” says an official statement released today. “All matches this weekend will pay tribute after the tragic earthquakes which have affected thousands of lives.”
“As a mark of respect, Premier League players and match officials will wear black armbands and observe a moment’s silence ahead of kick-off at fixtures during Matchweek 5, from Saturday 16 September to Monday 18 September,” the statement concluded.
In a similar gesture, Spain’s top-flight league La Liga and second division have pledged to hold a minute’s silence before every match. The minute’s silence will be for the victims of both disasters.
UEFA, the governing body of European football, similarly announced a moment of silence before all club and national team matches in honor of the victims.
Also Rugby fans and players will pay tribute to the victims of the natural disasters that have hit Libya and Morocco with a “moment of solidarity” ahead of a World Cup match between France and Uruguay on Thursday.
The international federation and French organizers said the moment will be observed before the national anthems are played at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in the northern French city of Villeneuve-d’Ascq close to Lille.
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