Will Greece and England players wear black armbands during the Nations League game?

GREECE and England players will be wearing black armbands tonight in tribute after the tragic death of George Baldock.

The former Sheffield United star, 31, was found dead in a swimming pool in Athens on Wednesday night with his family left “in shock at this terrible loss”.

Although born in Buckingham, Baldock was a Greece international who won 12 caps having qualified through his maternal grandmother.

The Three Lions are hosting Greece at Wembley Stadium in a Nations League match.

Wembley Stadium will hold a minute’s silence for Baldock, who only joined Panathinaikos in the summer.

A statement from the Football Association read: “At the request of Greece, there will be a period of silence and both teams will wear black armbands at Wembley Stadium this evening to mark the sudden passing of George Baldock.”

The FA will also hold a tribute for Kick It Out founder Lord Herman Ouseley, which had been planned following his death on October 2.

Baldock was not in this international squad having only just recently returned from injury, but SunSport understands that he was a very well liked member of the national team.

His wife, who lives in England, raised the alarm having grown worried at being unable to contact him.

She is said to have informed the owner of the house in Glyfada, Athens, to go there and check on him.

Sadly, Baldock was pronounced dead by a response unit who are reported to believe he had been in the water for a number of hours.

Police are now investigating his death and were pictured outside his home later in the evening.

A statement from his family read: “We can confirm that George has sadly passed away. As a family we are in shock at this terrible loss.

“We ask please that the media respect our privacy at this time.”

While club Panathinaikos added: “We are shocked, we are shocked by the loss of our George.

“The family of Panathinaikos mourns his untimely death. We stand with the family and loved ones of George Baldock.”

He had started the last two Panathinaikos games after missing six matches in August and September because of an injury.

Baldock won the last of his 12 international caps in March in the 4-2 penalty defeat to Georgia that saw the side fail to qualify for Euro 2024.

Baldock played 219 games for Sheffield United between 2017 and 2024, twice helping the Blades win promotion and playing in three Premier League campaigns.

Former side Sheffield United also paid tribute to Baldock in a statement that read: “Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player, George Baldock.

“The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was extremely popular with supporters, staff and team-mates who pulled on a red and white shirt alongside him.

“The sincere condolences of everyone associated with Sheffield United are extended to George’s family and friends.”

He came through the MK Dons academy, playing 125 senior matches, and also had loan spells at Northampton Town and Oxford United.

Baldock’s older brother Sam, 35, was also a professional footballer who played for West Ham and Brighton, among others.

Manchester United star Harry Maguire paid tribute by posting a picture of Baldock on his Instagram page with a broken heart emoji.

Why did George Baldock play for Greece?

George Baldock qualified for Greece through his maternal grandmother and was first mooted for a call-up in 2019.

He didn’t make his debut until 2022 – with Covid-19 and Brexit reportedly slowing the move.

After making his first squad, he said: “It is a real honour to represent Greece.

“This is a proud moment, not just for me, but for my entire family.

“It has been a possibility for a while, so I’m happy now to be in a position where I am available to play.

“It is an exciting time ahead.”

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk