Wembley Stadium lit up Friday for a match between England and Italy that was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
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The Three Lions were due to face Italy in an international friendly as a build-up to the Euro 2020.
However, the game was postponed in line with the shutdown of all football in the UK as well as the whole of Europe in the midst of the pandemic, while the summer’s European Championships have been pushed back to 2021.
The arch remained illuminated in the colours of the Italian flag for the 90 minutes during which the game would have been played.
In addition to this, the giant LED screens adjacent to Olympic Way displayed the message: ‘Siamo separati, ma siamo insieme. Forza Italia #DistantiMaUniti’ which translates as ‘We are separate, but we are together. Come on Italy #DistantButUnited’.
Italy has been the worst affected European country, with more than 9,000 people having died from the virus so far.
“Thanks to football, Italy and England have been brought closer together,” said Italian Football Federation President Gabriele Gravina.
He added, “I have personally thanked the English Federation President Greg Clarke for tonight’s beautiful initiative, and am moved by a sincere feeling of closeness and shared values in such a difficult time for all of Europe. Once we’re back on the pitch, both in Italy and on an international level, we’ll continue to hold dear the solidarity and friendship strengthened by this emergency.”
