Wimbledon paid tribute to late Portuguese football star Diogo Jota on Friday, as Portugal’s doubles player Francisco Cabral wore a black ribbon during his match to honour the Liverpool forward. The All England Club relaxed its strict all-white dress code to allow Cabral to wear the ribbon on his sleeve in remembrance.
Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva died in a car accident in northern Spain while travelling to catch a ferry to England for Liverpool’s pre-season training. The tragedy occurred just days after Jota’s wedding to Rute Cardoso, with whom he had three children.
Cabral, who lost his doubles match alongside Austrian partner Lucas Miedler, described Jota as an “idol, such an icon, such a good person,” adding that Jota’s journey and achievements were deeply inspiring to him.
British doubles player Neal Skupski, a passionate Liverpool supporter, had also brought a black armband to wear in tribute but chose not to wear it during Thursday’s match, saying he may do so later in the tournament.
