Diogo Jota and his brother, Andre, both tragically passed away following a car accident in Spain on Thursday afternoon, with the world of sport in mourning
Diogo Jota.
Diogo Jota passed away aged 28 in a road traffic accident.(Image: Photo by Sebastian Widmann - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Wimbledon have decided to make an exception for their dress code in order to pay tribute to Liverpool striker Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva after they passed away following a road traffic incident. It was announced on Thursday that the two had been involved in a fatal accident in Zamora, Spain.
The Guardia Civil are investigating the incident, which they believe was caused by a tyre blowout on the Lamborghini the pair were travelling in while overtaking another vehicle, leading them to veer off the road before the car caught fire. In light of the news that has sparked mourning in the sporting world, tennis tournament Wimbledon are said to be taken steps to allow athletes to honour the Reds forward.
Traditionally, players must wear all-white kits on competition courts, but this rule was relaxed in 2022 to permit female players to wear dark-coloured undershorts as long as they are not longer than their shorts or skirt.
However, players can now wear a black ribbon around their arm as a tribute to the Liverpool star under the tragic circumstances with the competition relaxing their rules.
Portuguese player Francisco Cabral has told the Telegraph that he plans to do so when he next steps onto the court, reports the Express.
Speaking after his win over Jamie Murray, he said: "I have seen the very sad news.
"The guy is a big name, not just in Portugal but in the world.
"He was a great human being with a nice family and three kids.
"My best wishes to them all. For his family it is very tough to recover from that. I couldn't get one in time today, but I want to in the next one."
An official Liverpool FC statement, released shortly before 10.30am on Thursday morning, read: "Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota.
"The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
"Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.
"We will continue to provide them with our full support."
Liverpool players past and present have taken to social media to pay tribute to Jota, including Darwin Nunez.
His international teammate Cristiano Ronaldo also offered his condolences following the shock news of his passing.
"It doesn't make sense," he began on X.
"Just now we were together in the National Team, just now you had gotten married.
"To your family, your wife, and your children, I send my condolences and wish them all the strength in the world.
"I know you will always be with them. Rest in Peace, Diogo and André. We will all miss you."