October 10th 2024.
It was a devastating blow for the Greek football community when news of George Baldock's passing broke on Wednesday evening. The 31-year-old defender, who had recently joined Panathinaikos, was found dead in his swimming pool at his home in Glyfada, a town just south of Athens. His sudden death sent shockwaves throughout the football world, and the Greek Football Association was left reeling.
Baldock, who was born in Buckingham, had become a key player for the Greek national team, having qualified to represent the country through his grandmother. He had already earned 12 caps for Greece and was considered an active player for the team, having featured twice in March of this year. However, he was not called up for their upcoming Nations League matches against England and the Republic of Ireland.
In light of Baldock's tragic passing, the Greek FA reached out to UEFA to request a postponement of their match against England, which was scheduled to take place at Wembley on Thursday evening. The association pointed out that two of Baldock's Panathinaikos teammates, including the national team captain, were also part of the current squad. But unfortunately, UEFA informed them that there were no available dates to reschedule the game.
In a statement, the Greek FA expressed their disappointment at not being able to postpone the match in honor of Baldock. They also released a separate statement to pay tribute to the late player, expressing their deep sadness and condolences to his family and loved ones.
Both England and Greece's players will wear black armbands for the match at Wembley, and a minute of silence will be observed before kick-off. UEFA's president, Aleksander Ceferin, also paid his respects to Baldock during the European Club Association General Assembly, highlighting the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing each moment.
The football community as a whole mourned the loss of Baldock, with UEFA posting a heartfelt tribute on their social media channels. It was a reminder that beyond the competitiveness and passion of the sport, there is also a strong sense of camaraderie and support amongst players and fans. George Baldock may have left this world too soon, but his memory and contribution to the game will always be cherished.
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