Uefa denies rejecting Miki Roque minute silence request

Jun 27, 2012 3:20:00 PM

Reports had suggested that a request from the RFEF to commemorate the Real Betis defender had been rejected, but the football governing body have dismissed those claims

Uefa has denied reports that it rejected a request from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for a minute's silence to be held before Spain's Euro 2012 semi-final clash with Portugal in tribute to Miki Roque.

The Real Betis defender lost his battle with pelvic cancer earlier this week, aged 23, and La Roja stars Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Ramos led the tributes to the former Under-19 international.

Spain's players had hoped that Roque's passing would be formally recognised just before kick-off in their meeting with Paulo Bento's men in Donetsk, but the European football governing body has denied having received any such request.

A statement on Uefa's website read: “Further to media reports of the alleged refusal to allow a minute of silence in memory of Spanish football player Miki Roque ahead of tonight's Uefa Euro 2012 semi-final between Spain and Portugal, Uefa would like to underline that it has not received any such request from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).

“Articles reporting its rejection by Uefa are therefore totally unfounded.”

Roque, who spent four years at Liverpool, was diagnosed with cancer last year after undergoing a routine check-up on a back problem and had a tumour removed last May.

Uefa allowed a minute's silence for French journalist Thierry Roland ahead of France's clash with Sweden during the group stages.

Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200
Sign up to Paddy Power for £250 in free bets
Sign up today with Coral and get a £50 FREE bet - no strings attached!
Sign up today with BetVictor and get a £25 FREE BET!

play

open

Live!

Champions League final - LIVE!

German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund will battle it out at Wembley for European glory. Get involved by sending us your thoughts via Twitter or Facebook! Hosted by Mark Doyle.

9:26 PM BST

Well, a penny for this guy's thoughts, as he watches his current club battle it out with his next club for the biggest prize in club football: would he rather leave the champions of Europe - or join the champions of Europe?

9:23 PM BST

Dortmund on level terms but perhaps lucky to be so. First, Alaba draws another full-stretch save out of Weidenfeller, before Mandzukic fires into the side netting after being slipped in by Muller, who is furious that the referee did not penalise Subotic for pulling him back. If Rizzoli had, that would have been a red for the centre-half, who was Dortmund's last man. Anyway, 10 minutes to go in this cracking contest!

9:21 PM BST

Unsurprisingly, things are really heating up in the pub our man Jay Jaffa is watching the game in with fans from both sides:

"Ilkay Gundogan drew the loudest cheers of the night until Neven Subotic's unbelievable goalline clearance. There's a more divided feel to the support in Bierschenke now and every Dortmund fan celebrated Subotic's saving challenge as if it was the winner. What an enthralling final this has been!"

9:18 PM BST

BRILLIANT FROM SUBOTIC! The sliding Serbian somehow manages to hook the ball off the line, after Muller had skipped around Weidenfeller and fired goalwards. Terrific defending! Moments later, Lewandowski does find the back of the net, with a stunning dipping volley from distance, but the whistle had already blown for a handball by the big Pole. We'll give Neuer the benefit of the doubt and say that's why he didn't get a hand on it!

9:14 PM BST

To score a penalty in a Champions League final takes real bottle (just ask John Terry!), so for Gundogan to convert what was his first ever spot-kick for Dortmund is seriously impressive. Talk about ice in the veins.

Inside Goal.Com

Neymar's choice: How he saw all this coming
Santos' star forward spoke to Goal's Sebastian Garcia a year ago about the fight for his services between Spain's two top teams and his insight was revealing
Top 10 all-time Champions League scorers
As the competition moves within days of its much-anticipated conclusion at Wembley, Goal profiles the most prolific players in its history
Top 10 Champions League Final Moments
As Europe braces itself for an all German classic at Wembley on Saturday, Goal.com takes a look back at some of the iconic moments in the history of Uefa's showpiece event since its rebranding in 1992.
Transfer Talk: Mourinho wants Isco at Chelsea
Get your daily dose of all the speculation from around the globe as clubs cast their eye towards summer reinforcements
Higuain can take Juventus to the next level
The Argentine striker looks set to swap Madrid for Turin in the coming days after six years in Spain - and he is just what the Bianconeri need to challenge in Europe next season