Liverpool manager Arne Slot has addressed the incident during the Community Shield at Wembley, where a small group of Crystal Palace supporters disrupted the minute’s silence held for Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva.
The brothers tragically passed away in a car accident in Zamora, Spain, on 3 July, just days after Jota, a 28-year-old father of three, married his longtime partner Rute Cardoso.
While most Palace fans stood respectfully during the silence, a minority were heard chanting “Eagles,” which led to boos from Liverpool fans and an early end to the tribute after the referee blew the whistle.
Speaking after the match, Slot suggested the disturbance was not intentional.
“I don’t think this was planned,” he said. “Maybe the fan was not aware of the minute’s silence and was happy and tried to cheer for his team, then the Palace fans tried to calm him down, and our fans reacted. I don’t think they had a bad intention.”
Slot remains optimistic, highlighting the widespread respect for Jota and Silva across the football world. “I’m a positive person. I look at the respect paid to Diogo and Andre across the world.”
The Liverpool squad has carried the memory of Jota with them through pre-season. Their opening match against Preston North End was filled with emotion, with supporters chanting the late forward’s name. Before kick-off, Claudia Rose Maguire, wife of former Preston player Sean Maguire, delivered a moving rendition of “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”
At Wembley, Liverpool fans displayed a banner featuring Jota holding the Premier League trophy alongside his iconic number 20 shirt, which has since been retired in his honour.
Reflecting on the challenging summer for everyone connected with Liverpool, Slot shared:
“This summer has been difficult for everybody connected with the club. The passing of Diogo Jota had a big impact on all of us and is something that we are still coming to terms with. We cannot imagine the pain that Diogo’s family, his wife, children and friends are going through, and the club will continue to give them all the support they can going forward.
“Diogo’s passing has had a big impact on us all, but what has been so important has been the love and care shown from the football world, and in particular, of course, the Liverpool FC community.
“I also want to mention the strength and the courage of my players here. They have found themselves in one of the toughest positions imaginable, but the way they have come together and the way they have conducted themselves, on and off the pitch, is a credit to them and to this football club. We really couldn’t have asked more of the boys, and I am extremely proud of them all.
“We will always carry Diogo with us in our hearts, in our thoughts, wherever we go.”
