England and Greece players pay tribute to George Baldock at Wembley after tragic death

England and Greece players were portion of a moving tribute astatine Wembley contiguous arsenic the footballing satellite came unneurotic to wage their respects to George Baldock pursuing his tragic death.

The former Sheffield United defender and Greece planetary died connected Wednesday evening at the property of 31.

Police were called to the footballer’s location successful Greece wherever helium was recovered unresponsive successful his swimming pool. The nonstop origin of decease is not yet known.

Despite a request from the Greek FA to postpone the fixture, Thursday’s Nations League fixture went up arsenic planned with some sides wearing achromatic armbands to wage their respects.

A minute’s soundlessness took spot earlier kick-off, which besides paid tribute to the beingness of Kick It Out laminitis Lord Herman Ouseley who died earlier this period astatine 79.

Baldock enjoyed an extended playing vocation successful England, astir notably astatine Sheffield United wherever helium made 219 appearances betwixt 2017 and March of this year.

The defender, who became a Greek planetary done his grandmother, near Brammal Line to motion for Panathinaikos this summer.

He received 12 caps for the nationalist squad betwixt 2022 and 2024 and past played for his nine precocious arsenic Sunday successful a goalless gully with Olympiakos successful the Greek apical flight.

Tributes poured successful from astir the footballing satellite aft quality of the tragic passing archetypal broke.

Speaking earlier kick-off, Ian Wright, who coached Baldock during his little stint astatine MK Dons, told ITV: ‘Terrible news, shocking news. In this clip you tin lone deliberation astir his friends and family. I spoke to Karl Robinson and helium was devastated.’

Asked what benignant of quality helium was, Wright added: ‘Hard-working, determined. At MK Dons, helium was the benignant of idiosyncratic you could archer by the mode helium applied himself, helium was astir apt going to get to the Premier League and helium did so. I’m precise atrocious and each my condolences spell to his family.’

Roy Keane besides shared his condolences, saying: ‘I watched him a batch astatine Sheffield United, played with a batch of energy, was precise tenacious and was ever up for a battle.

‘The players volition person to beryllium nonrecreational and volition person to effort and spell retired determination and enactment connected a show for him.’

A Greek Football Federation connection read: ‘With heavy sadness and pain, the National Team and the Hellenic Football Federation accidental goodbye to George Baldock.

‘There are nary words to picture the quality symptom caused by the quality of the untimely nonaccomplishment of 1 of our young people. The infinitesimal calls for silence. Condolences to his family. Condolences from his 2nd family. Goodbye.’

Coming done the younker strategy astatine MK Dons, Baldock went connected to correspond respective clubs crossed the English shot pyramid, including Northampton Town, Tamworth and Oxford United.

Joining Sheffield United successful 2017, helium went connected to assistance the Blades unafraid promotion to the Premier League connected 2 occasions and was nicknamed ‘Furious George’ for each his all-action displays connected the pitch.

‘Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and highly saddened to larn of the passing of erstwhile player, George Baldock,’ a connection from the nine said.

‘The defender near the nine successful the summertime aft 7 years astatine Bramall Lane and was highly fashionable with supporters, unit and team-mates who pulled connected a reddish and achromatic garment alongside him.

‘The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United are extended to George’s household and friends.’

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