George Baldock to be honoured during England vs Greece match at Wembley as plans announced
England and Greece will hold a minute silence before their clash at Wembley in honour of George Baldock with both teams also wearing black armbands on Thursday night
by Samuel Meade · The MirrorEngland and Greece will both wear black armbands as a mark of respect for George Baldock after his tragic death on Wednesday night.
The Three Lions will host the Greeks on Thursday night at Wembley with news of the 31-year-old's sudden passing still very fresh after his body was found in the pool of his villa in Athens.
Baldock moved to Panathinaikos from Sheffield United in the summer but defender, who has picked up 12 caps for Greece, wasn't due to play against England after suffering an injury. As well as the black armbands there will be a minutes silence observed before kick-off. A minute's silence is also set to be held before Greece's home game with Ireland on Sunday at the Karaiskakis Stadium.
There had been reports of Thursday night's game at Wembley being postponed. Greek outlet SDNA claimed that the Hellenic FA have been in 'constant contact' with UEFA about postponing the game, but European football's governing body have insisted that it goes ahead as planned.
A statement from UEFA read: “UEFA would like to send its condolences to the family of George Baldock, the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) and Panathinaikos FC following the Greek international's sudden and untimely death. Following a request by the HFF, a minute's silence will be observed ahead of tonight's UEFA Nations League match between England and Greece at Wembley Stadium, with both teams wearing black armbands during the game.”
England and Greece have both offered their sympathies following the tragic incident. A statement from the Greek FA read: "With profound sadness and sorrow, the national team and the Greek Football Federation bid farewell to George Baldock. There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the unexpected loss of one of our own, young, man. The moment forces silence. Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family."
Tributes have continued to pour in for the 31-year-old, who spent his playing days in England at the likes of Sheffield United, MK Dons and Northampton. With the Blades he twice won promotion to the Premier League and they paid their respects on social media.
They said: "Sheffield United FootballClub is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock. The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with supporters, staff and team-mates who pulled on a red and white shirt alongside him."
Several players, including Harry Maguire and Kyle Walker-Peters have also paid tribute on social media. On Thursday morning Dele Alli took to his Instagram to underline his love for Baldock, whom he had come through the academy with at MK Dons and retained a strong bond.
Baldock featured in Sunday's 0-0 draw between Panathinaikos and rivals Olympiacos, which proved to be his final game. His wife raised the alarm on Wednesday when she struggled to contact him. She then informed the owner of the house in Glyfada, a surburb of Athens, to check the property, where Baldock's body was found.
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