European football will pause before every Champions League match this week to honor those affected by the deadly floods in Nepal. UEFA announced that a moment of silence and a solidarity banner will be shown before all 18 matches, starting on Tuesday night.
The gesture is meant to support Nepal as it continues to search for thousands missing since the disaster over a week ago. A banner with the message “You are not alone Nepal” will be displayed at every game.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin called this a united effort from the entire European football community. He said, “We stand together to express our deepest sympathies and support for the people of Nepal.”
The floods began on August 26 after an avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border caused massive destruction across northern and central Nepal. By Monday, over 1,355 people were confirmed dead, with nearly 5,000 still missing, including at least 589 foreign nationals.
UEFA chose to mark this tribute during the first week of the new Champions League season, when millions watch the matches globally. The league phase kicks off on Tuesday with six games, including Real Madrid vs. Inter Milan in Madrid.
Every match this week will begin with a moment of silence and the solidarity banner. Fans, players, and officials are asked to join together for the pause.
This is not the first time European football has paused for disasters outside Europe. Similar tributes were held last year after earthquakes and floods in Morocco and Libya.
The tribute will take place across venues in Madrid, Athens, Bruges, Dortmund, Porto, Lille, Barcelona, Liverpool, Paris, and other locations through Thursday night.