Wimbledon decides to break strict 150-year rule for first time after Diogo Jota death
The Liverpool forward's tragic death has sent shockwaves through the world of sport
Wimbledon bosses have relaxed the tournament's strict dress code
Wimbledon bosses will allow players to wear black armbands while playing at the tournament on Thursday, following the tragic death of Liverpool striker Diogo Jota.
The Portuguese international - who won the Premier League title with Liverpool last season before lifting the UEFA Nations League trophy with his country last month - died in a car accident in Spain in the early hours of Thursday morning, with his younger brother Andre Silva also tragically losing his life in the crash.
Spanish police have confirmed that the brothers were travelling in a Lamborghini on the A52 in the Spanish province of Zamora, when the vehicle "left the road due to a tyre blowout while overtaking" and caught fire at around 12.30am local time (11:30pm BST).
Jota - who also played in the Premier League for Wolverhampton Wanderers before joining Liverpool in 2020 - was just 28 years old, while his brother was 26.
The tragic news has sent shockwaves not just through the world of football, but the world of sport and Wimbledon chiefs have now decided to allow players to pay tribute to the Reds star on court if they so wish.
The All England Lawn Tennis Club has a notoriously strict dress code, particularly during Wimbledon, with those competing on the grass required to wear white.
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While the rule harks back to the 1880s, tournament officials have decided to relax it in wake of the heartbreaking news, with players to be allowed to wear black armbands to pay their respects to Jota.
It comes after Portuguese tennis player Francisco Cabral revealed his intent to do just that in his next round match on the grass.
Speaking after his victory in the men's doubles on Thursday, 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 [a black armband] in time today, but I want to in the next one".
Confirming Jota's death on Thursday, a statement from Liverpool 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."
The Portuguese FA have also paid tribute to the Liverpool star, describing him as an "exceptional player" and an "extraordinary person".
They also announced that a minutes silence will be held before Portugal's match against Spain at the Women's European Championship in Switzerland on Thursday evening.
"The Portuguese Football Federation and all of Portuguese football are utterly devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva this morning in Spain,"a statement read.
"Far beyond being an exceptional player, with nearly 50 caps for the National Team, Diogo Jota was an extraordinary person, respected by all teammates and opponents, someone with a contagious joy and a reference within his own community.
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"On my behalf, and on behalf of the Portuguese Football Federation, I express our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Diogo and André Silva, as well as to Liverpool FC and FC Penafiel, the clubs where the players, respectively, performed.
"The Portuguese Football Federation has already requested UEFA to observe a minute of silence this Thursday before our National Team's match against Spain in the Women's European Championship," the statement continued. "We have lost two champions.
"The passing of Diogo and André Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese Football, and we will do everything to honor their legacy daily."
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