Liverpool, Leicester, West Ham and Brentford fans pay their respects to Pele ahead of their Friday night Premier League clashes with a minute’s applause – as a picture of Brazil legend with Bobby Moore is displayed at the London Stadium
Premier League fans have honoured Pele before their matches on Friday evening.
Liverpool, Leicester, West Ham and Brentford fans paid their respects to the footballing legend before the Reds hosted the Foxes and the Hammers hosted the Bees, with a minute’s applause.
The Brazilian passed away at the age of 82 on Thursday evening following a battle with colon cancer which left him hospitalised for a month. His death left the beautiful game – a phrase he coined – in mourning – and on Friday, English football offered their own tributes.
Premier League fans have honoured Pele (pictured) before their matches on Friday evening
The Brazilian football legend – widely considered one of the greatest players of all time – passed away at the age of 82 on Thursday evening
And Liverpool, Leicester, West Ham and Brentford supporters paid tribute to him on Friday
Players wore black armbands and crowds paid tribute with an ovation, as supporters at Anfield also honoured former Reds forward David Johnson, who died in November. Friday’s match was the first back at Anfield after the World Cup break.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, the Brazilian on the pitch, laid flowers on the pitch on behalf of the two clubs, while club captain Jordan Henderson laid a floral tribute to Johnson. There was then extended applause for the pair at Anfield.
While at the London Stadium, pictures of Pele were beamed around the stadium, with black-and-white images of the player during his career.
At the London Stadium, a picture of Pele embracing West Ham and England legend Bobby Moore, considered one of the most iconic pictures in sporting history, was shown to fans
Players wore black armbands and joined in a minute’s applause. At Anfield, tributes were also paid to former Reds striker David Johnson
On Merseyside floral wreaths (above) were laid on the pitch in tribute to both Pele and Johnson
One particular highlight was Pele embracing West Ham and England legend Bobby Moore at the 1970 World Cup, considered one of the most iconic pictures in sporting history.
All 10 Premier League matches over the weekend will have similar tributes to Pele, with the Scottish Professional Football League also suggesting all clubs pay their respects with a minute’s applause or an ‘other appropriate gesture’.
Global governing body FIFA lowered flags at its headquarters in Switzerland to half-mast for Pele ‘as a symbol of mourning and respect’.
English Football League games have honoured Pele and Premier League sides will follow suit
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said: ‘There’s not another show or event that can produce this type of emotion. It’s part of what these exceptional players do.
‘Football is football thanks to these types of people, players, human beings. Before, the number 10 was just a number and after him it became something special. Every top player wanted to wear number 10 in their team.
‘What he has done for football is there and always will remain. These type of players will be forever, they will be eternal.’
South American country Brazil has declared three days of national mourning since the news.
