Liverpool Manager Defends Crystal Palace Fans Over Jota Tribute Disruption at Wembley

Before the Community Shield match at Wembley, a minute's silence to honor late Liverpool forward Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva was interrupted by some noise from Crystal Palace fans, leading referee Chris Kavanagh to end the silence early. Liverpool manager Arne Slot emphasized that he does not believe the disruption was intentional or malicious, suggesting it was likely a misunderstanding by a fan who was unaware of the tribute and was simply caught up in the excitement of the match. Slot noted that other Crystal Palace supporters tried to quiet those causing the disturbance, and he highlighted the widespread respect for the late Jota and Silva shown by fans worldwide. Liverpool fans had earlier paid tribute with a rendition of "You'll Never Walk Alone" and banners honoring Jota, who was a beloved figure at the club with 65 goals in 182 appearances. Liverpool has retired Jota's number 20 jersey as a mark of respect following his tragic death in a car crash. The incident underscored the emotional difficulty for Liverpool as they proceed into the new season, shortly after the loss of one of their key players.