Football

Greece Requested To Postpone Nations League Clash vs England After George Baldock’s Tragic Death

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Oliver Taliku
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Oliver Taliku Sports Editor

Olly Taliku has worked with highly respected sports and gambling websites where he has produced hundreds of articles, as well as being published with Burton Albion and Chesterfield FC. At Burton Olly worked closely alongside the women's team, producing mainly matchday content including reports and interviews, while at Chesterfield he worked in a similar role but with the academy side, as well as some first team content. He also has experience as an accredited Premier League and EFL writer for Prost International where he worked during the 2021/22 season to produce matchday content as an on location reporter. Olly specialises in football as well as long form SEO content plus news, tips and betting but also produces content on basketball, baseball and American football.

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Published3 hours ago on October 10, 2024

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George Baldock

According to reports, Greece requested to have Thursday night’s Nations League match against England postponed following the tragic passing of George Baldock earlier this week. 

George Baldock Found Dead

Former Premier League star George Baldock was tragically found dead in his own swimming pool this week, with his passing sending shockwaves around Greece as well as the world of football.

The death although tragic is not currently being considered as suspicious, with initial reports from Athens police suggesting that the 31-year-old drowned at his own apartment.

Although he was born in England, Baldock was able to represent Greece on the international stage thanks to his grandmother who was born there.

Baldock played 12 games for Greece during his international career and he was still very much a part of the team – playing the final match for his nation in March during a loss to Georgia.

Although Baldock hadn’t played a game for Greece since the Euro Qualifying playoffs in March, the full-back had been struggling with an injury that kept him out of the squad.

The upsetting death obviously caused a lot of unrest within the Greece squad as many of the stars who will line up against England on Thursday night have previously played alongside Baldock.

Greece Football Federation Requests Postponement

It has been reported that in the wake of Baldock’s tragic passing, Greece requested for UEFA to postpone their Nations League fixture against England on Thursday night with many players shook up by the death.

Although England vs Greece hasn’t been postponed, both teams will honour the former Sheffield United star with a tribute in Wembley before kick off.

Greece football released a statement on Wednesday night saying goodbye to Baldock following his tragic loss: “With profound sadness and sorrow, the national team and the Greek Football Federation bid farewell to George Baldock.”

“George was close to many of our players, and represented Greece – our opponents on Thursday night. We’re thinking of George’s family, friends and team-mates at club and country at this difficult time.”

As well as playing his international football in Greece, Baldock also returned home in the summer transfer window with a move from Sheffield United to Panathinaikos.

Baldock had just returned to playing football in October after spending a period of time watching on from the sidelines with an injury. The defender played 75 minutes in his final match which was a 0-0 draw with Olympiacos at the beginning of the month