September 10, 2022 - England's soccer team will pay tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II ahead of their upcoming Europa League match at Wembley in September, according to the Evening Standard.
The Football Association of England (FA) announced on Friday that a moment of silence will be held before the kick-off of the UEFA Europa League match on September 26, and that players will wear black armbands.
This afternoon, England manager Gareth Southgate and women's football manager Sarina Wigman released a joint statement sending greetings to the Queen. The statement reads, "Our thoughts are with His Majesty King Charles III, the President of the FA, His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and the entire Royal Family at this time. As we remember and celebrate the life of Her Majesty the Queen, we would also like to thank her for her exceptional leadership and a lifetime of shining service. She showed the world what it means to be truly British. Her values, her dignity, her resilience were an example to us all, and she provided us with stability and confidence in the best and most difficult of times. I am proud to have her as our supporter and we will be singing God Save the Queen before every game."
"The team will have the opportunity to pay our respects against Germany later this month. Of course, the moment will bring back memories of the 1966 World Cup final and the moment Her Majesty the Queen awarded the Remit Cup to Bobby Moore. I will be reminded of that, and her 70 years of impeccable responsibility, as Wembley Stadium and the whole country falls silent."
In a statement, Wigman wrote: "I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. I want to join the millions of people around the world who remembered her life and mourned her passing. My country has always held her in high esteem, admiration and love, and I know that this feeling is not confined to England, but is shared globally. I can feel the nation's love for her as a mother figure who sought stability and peace in troubled times. My players and staff sang the national anthem with reverence, reminding me of what she means to this country. The words 'Give Her the Victory' are not only written on our jerseys, they are etched in our hearts. This summer, she took the time to write me a letter congratulating us on our success. In that letter, she called us 'an inspiration to girls and women'. Your Majesty, it is you who inspire me with your tireless work ethic, leadership, dignity and kindness. My thoughts are with the Royal Family and the whole of Britain who are bearing this tragic news."
