Virgil van Dijk expressed his disappointment after Sunday’s minute’s silence for Diogo Jota was ruined by a small section of Crystal Palace supporters at Wembley, as Liverpool head coach Arne Slot suggested the disruption may have been the result of a misunderstanding.
Both teams gathered around the centre circle before kick-off in Sunday’s Community Shield to pay their respects to Jota and his brother Andre Silva, who both died in a car accident in Spain last month.
However, the period of silence at Wembley had to be cut short by the referee Chris Kavanagh due to an interruption from a small minority of Crystal Palace fans.
“Yeah, I’m disappointed,” Van Dijk said.
“That’s the only thing I can say. There was plenty trying to sush it down, but obviously that doesn’t help them. It is what it is.
“You can’t control…… how many people were here? 80,000, so yeah, it’s disappointing to hear that. But if those persons can go home and be happy with themselves, then……”
Asked about the curtailed minute’s silence after watching his side beaten 3-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw, Liverpool coach Slot said: “I don’t think this was planned. Maybe the fan was not aware of the minute’s silence and was happy and tried to cheer for his team, then the Palace fans tried to calm him down and our fans reacted.
“I don’t think they had a bad intention. I’m a positive person. I look at the respect paid to Diogo and Andre across the world.”
Anfield legend Ian Rush and Crystal Palace co-owner and chairman Steve Parish both laid wreaths before the game in memory of Jota and his brother.
(Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Aug 10, 2025Connections: Sports Edition
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