UEFA deny Greece request to postpone England game after George Baldock’s death
Baldock represented Greece at international level while two of his Panathinaikos teammates are in the current squad to face England.
UEFA has denied a request from Greece to postpone their Nations League match against England at Wembley on Thursday evening following the death of George Baldock.
The former Sheffield United defender was found dead in his swimming pool at his home in Glyfada, a town south of Athens, on Wednesday evening.
Baldock joined Greek side Panathinaikos in May and had played 75 minutes in their goalless draw at home to Olympiacos last Sunday.
The 31-year-old was born in Buckingham but qualified to represent Greece at international level through his grandmother.
Baldock was capped 12 times by Greece’s national side but was not called up to their latest squad for their Nations League fixtures against England and the Republic of Ireland this month.
Following the news of Baldock’s death of Wednesday evening, Greece’s Football Association had asked UEFA about the possibility of postponing the fixture against England.
Greece highlighted that Baldock was still an active player for the national side having featured twice in March this year, while two of his Panathinaikos teammates, including the national team captain Tasos Bakasetas, are part of the current squad which will face England at Wembley.
However, the Greek FA was told that there were no available dates for the game to be moved to, therefore it could not be postponed.
‘After repeated contacts with the highest levels of UEFA since last night regarding tonight’s match, there was no room for postponing it,’ the Greek FA said on Thursday morning.
A statement on behalf of Greece’s national team players read: ‘It is impossible to believe that our dear friend and teammate, George, is no longer with us. Our pain is indescribable.
‘Tonight we will try to reach the power of his soul, which is a bright example for us all.
‘Our thoughts are with his family. We’ll never forget you, man.’
A separate statement on Baldock’s death from the Greek FA read: ‘With deep sadness and pain, the National Team and the Hellenic Football Federation say goodbye to George Baldock. There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the untimely loss of one of our young people. The moment calls for silence. Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family. Goodbye.’
Both England and Greece’s players will wear black armbands for the game against Wembley, while a minute’s silence will also be observed before kick off.
Speaking at the European Club Association (ECA) General Assembly on Thursday morning, UEFA’s president, Aleksander Ceferin, paid tribute to Baldock.
‘Last night George Baldock died, a young player for the Greek national team and Panathinaikos. If a young person dies it is a sad day. Have to remind ourselves what is important in life,’ he said.
‘One day you are here, the next you are gone. Deep and sincere condolences to the player’s family, Greek football and the football family.’
UEFA also posted a tribute to Baldock on their social media channels which read: ‘On behalf of the European football community, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Panathinaikos and Greece defender George Baldock.
‘Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and teammates.’
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