A minute’s silence was observed ahead of the Nations League fixture between England and Grece for Greek international George Baldock following his death. Players for both teams wore black armbands while the Greek squad held up a shirt with Baldock’s name and number before the kick-off.
Baldock won 12 caps with his country, making his international debut in February 2022.
“UEFA would like to send its condolences to the family of George Baldock, the Hellenic Football Federation (HFF) and Panathinaikos FC following the Greek international’s sudden and untimely death,” UEFA, the governing body of European football said in a statement announcing the tribute.
Police said that the player’s body was found late on Wednesday, 9th October, in his swimming pool in the southern suburb of Glyfada with the cause not being immediately clear. Police spokeswoman Konstantina Dimoglidou stated that there is no initial indication of anything suspicious regarding his death. The coroner who examined the body informed them “that there is no evidence of a criminal act,” she told the Associated Press.
“The house too was searched by the criminal investigations directorate,” she added. “It doesn’t seem that a criminal act took place but the investigation is continuing for any eventuality.”
ERT television reported that the coroner determined drowning as the cause of death of the Greek international but Dimoglidou was not able to confirm it immediately. The cause remains unknown.
The football community has paid tributes including his former teammates. Sheffield United said that he was an “extremely popular” player during his seven years with the side and Panathinaikos said that “there are no words to describe” the incident.
Greece would win the game 2-1, beating England for the first time in their history.
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