UEFA has declined a request from Greece to postpone their Nations League match against England at Wembley on Thursday evening, following the passing of George Baldock.
The former Sheffield United defender was discovered dead in the swimming pool at his home in Glyfada, a town south of Athens, on Wednesday evening.
Baldock had signed with Greek club Panathinaikos in May and played 75 minutes in their goalless draw against Olympiacos last Sunday.
The 31-year-old, born in Buckingham, was eligible to play for Greece through his grandmother.
He earned 12 caps for Greece’s national team but was not included in their latest squad for the Nations League matches against England and the Republic of Ireland this month.
After news of Baldock’s death on Wednesday evening, the Hellenic Football Federation requested UEFA to consider postponing the match against England.
UEFA informed the Greek FA that rescheduling the match was not possible due to the lack of available dates, and the game will proceed as planned.
The Greek FA said on Thursday morning.
‘After repeated contacts with the highest levels of UEFA since last night regarding tonight’s match, there was no room for postponing it.’
A statement on behalf of Greece’s national team players read:
‘It is impossible to believe that our dear friend and teammate, George, is no longer with us. Our pain is indescribable.
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‘Tonight we will try to reach the power of his soul, which is a bright example for us all.
‘Our thoughts are with his family. We’ll never forget you, man.’
A separate statement on Baldock’s death from the Greek FA read:
‘With deep sadness and pain, the National Team and the Hellenic Football Federation say goodbye to George Baldock.
There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the untimely loss of one of our young people.
The moment calls for silence. Condolences to his family. Condolences from his second family. Goodbye.’
Both England and Greece’s players will wear black armbands for the game against Wembley, while a minute’s silence will also be observed before kick off.
Speaking at the European Club Association (ECA) General Assembly on Thursday morning, UEFA’s president, Aleksander Ceferin, paid tribute to Baldock.
‘Last night George Baldock died, a young player for the Greek national team and Panathinaikos.
If a young person dies it is a sad day. Have to remind ourselves what is important in life.’
‘One day you are here, the next you are gone. Deep and sincere condolences to the player’s family, Greek football and the football family.’
UEFA also posted a tribute to Baldock on their social media channels which read:
‘On behalf of the European football community, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Panathinaikos and Greece defender George Baldock.
‘Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and teammates.’
Greece stressed that Baldock had been an active member of their national team earlier this year and that two of his Panathinaikos teammates, including captain Tasos Bakasetas, are currently part of the squad set to face England.
