In an unprecedented move, Wimbledon has broken a 148-year tradition to pay tribute to Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota, who tragically passed away on Thursday night.
Officials will allow players to break the tournament’s all white dress code to wear black armbands as a tribute to the Portuguese player who tragically lost his life on Thursday night, News.Az reports, citing foreign media.
Jota and his brother André Silva were found dead near the city of Zamora in Spain after their Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames.
It is understood the car crash that killed the Premier League winner may have been cause by a blown tire, with police still investigating.
The tragic event comes just 10 days after Jota married his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three children with, and event he had just shared with everyone on Instagram just hours before his death.
Jota was a prolific member of the Portuguese national team, winning the UEFA Nations League just last month.
He was also a beloved figure in Merseyside since arriving to the Reds in 2020, netting 65 goals in 182 appearances.
He won four trophies along the way as a crucial member of both Jürgen Klopp and Arne Slot’s teams.
As a result Wimbledon have elected under special circumstances to allow the players to honor Jota if they wish — moving away from the rule in place since 1877.
