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A Crystal Palace fan group has apologized to Liverpool after a minute’s silence for Diogo Jota and Andre Silva was disrupted at Wembley on Sunday.
A number of tributes were held for the former Liverpool forward and his brother following their deaths in a car accident earlier this summer. Club legend Ian Rush laid wreaths alongside Palace chairman Steve Parish and FA chairwoman Debbie Hewitt before the players made their way out onto the pitch.
The two teams then gathered for a minute’s silence, but the gesture was interrupted as fans could be heard making noise, with referee Chris Kavanagh forced to bring the moment to a premature end.
The disruption is thought to have come from the Palace end of the stadium, with Liverpool fans making their feelings clear as they booed the interruption.
Palace fanzine Five Year Plan has now commented on the situation and offered an apology, while suggesting the disruption may have come from supporters not realizing a minute’s silence was occurring.
“A word on the Jota silence incident,” the group posted on X. “A lot of our fans had difficulty getting into the ground. Stewarding was a mess. Some came into the concourse without realising what was going on.
“All we can do is apologize. It’s a disappointing thing to have happened and we’re sorry.
“We’ve had a good rapport with Liverpool fans over the years. We don’t do tragedy chanting, we care for our community. We have a lot in common as fans.
“We’re certain no one would have intentionally disrupted the moment of silence.
“Our thoughts are with Diogo, Andre and family.”
They went on to add: “Some of our own fans have said people did boo. Which is really disappointing.
“Jota’s death shocked us. We can’t believe people would boo any memorial to him. Let alone our own fans.
“We can’t speak for them but we can apologise for their actions. So we’re sorry.”
Liverpool boss Arne Slot and Reds captain Virgil van Dijk both commented on the disruption following the game, with the former willing to give the Palace supporters the benefit of doubt, while the latter expressed his disappointment.
"I don’t know who did that, but there were plenty trying to shush it down, but that didn’t help it. It is what it is,” Van Dijk said.
"How many fans were there, 80,000? Yeah, it’s disappointing to hear that, but if those people can go home and be proud of happy then…"
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