Liverpool fans hold up a banner in memory of Liverpool's Diogo Jota.
Liverpool FC head coach Arne Slot has said he feels no “bad intention” in the interruption of a minute’s silence during a tribute to Diogo Jota.
Liverpool forward Jota died in a car crash along with his brother Andrew Silva in Spain in July. The pair were honoured with wreaths laid on the pitch and a minute’s silence.
The moment was interrupted by a minority of fans from the Palace end, creating a strong response from both the home end and other Eagles supporters who tried to silence them.
About the incident, Reds boss Arne Slot said: “I don’t think this was planned, or this was the idea of the fan that made some noise. Maybe he wasn’t aware of the fact that it was the minute of silence.
“He was just still happy and tried to cheer for his team. And I think then the fans of Palace were trying to calm that person or those persons down, so I don’t think he had a bad intention, the guy or people that made noise.
“I don’t think there’s a bad intention to it, because the fans of Crystal Palace and everywhere around the world have paid huge respect to Diogo and Andre and this was, I think, unlucky.”
Liverpool fans paid their respects with a rendition of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ as the wreaths were brought out. They also raised a white banner reading ‘Diogo J’ that featured the forward’s image and number 20.
Liverpool great Ian Rush, Palace chairman Steve Parish and Football Association chair Debbie Hewitt laid the wreaths in the Liverpool end.
Fans from both clubs expressed their respect with a standing ovation as the late siblings’ images were displayed on the big screens inside the stadium.
But the minute’s silence at Wembley had to be cut short due to some shouting from a small number of Crystal Palace fans.