Arne Slot has defended the Crystal Palace supporters who disturbed a moment’s silence for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva before the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.
The brothers died on 3 July in a car accident in Zamora, Spain after a suspected tyre blowout. The tragedy occurred only 11 days after Jota, a 28-year-old father of three, had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso.
While the majority of Palace fans stood and respectfully observed the silence, a small group could be heard chanting “Eagles”. Other Palace supporters urged them to be quiet and Liverpool fans at the other end of the stadium booed, before the referee blew his whistle to signal the end of the tribute.
But Slot suggested the Palace fans involved may not have been aware that the silence was taking place.
“I don’t think this was planned,” Slot said. “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.”
Liverpool continued their preparations for the new campaign while mourning the death of their Portuguese forward. Their first game of the summer was an emotional win over Preston North End where fans chanted Jota’s name throughout. There was also a moving performance of You’ll Never Walk Alone by Claudia Rose Maguire, wife of former Preston player Sean Maguire, before kick-off.
At Wembley, Liverpool fans waved a banner displaying Jota holding the Premier League trophy with his shirt number, 20, which has since been retired by the club.
Ahead of the Community Shield, Slot had told the FA website: “This summer has been a difficult for everybody connected with the club,” said Slot. “The passing of Diogo Jota had a big impact on all of us and is something that we are still coming to terms with. We cannot imagine the pain that Diogo’s family, his wife, children and friends are going through, and the club will continue to give them all the support they can going forward.
“Diogo’s passing has had a big impact on us all, but what has been so important has been the love and care shown from the football world, and in particular of course the Liverpool FC community.
“I also want to mention the strength and the courage of my players here. They have found themselves in one of the toughest positions imaginable, but the way they have come together and the way they have conducted themselves, on and off the pitch, is a credit to them and to this football club. We really couldn’t have asked more of the boys, and I am extremely proud of them all.
“We will always carry Diogo with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.”
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