Fans disrupting the minute's silence dedicated to Diogo Jota and Andre Silva before Sunday's Community Shield had 'no bad intention', according to Liverpool manager Arne Slot. Slot, addressing the incident at Wembley where the memorial pause was cut short by Crystal Palace supporters, expressed his view that the interruption was accidental and stemmed from a lack of awareness, rather than malice.
Referee Chris Kavanagh had to intervene after boos were directed towards supporters in the east stands, where Palace fans were located, who had begun cheering during the silent tribute. Slot clarified, "I don't think this was planned, or that this was the idea of the fan who made some noise. Maybe he wasn't aware of the fact that it was the minute of silence."
The manager continued, suggesting the fan was simply expressing happiness for his team's participation and that Palace fans attempted to quieten the individual down. "And I don't think he had a bad intention," Slot stated of the person(s) who made the noise. He acknowledged the Palace supporters' subsequent reaction as well, adding, "That was a bit noisy as well."
Ultimately, Slot dismissed any notion of bad faith, emphasizing the genuine respect shown by fans globally and calling the interruption "unlucky". He noted, "I don't think there was a bad intention in it." Furthermore, he hinted at the importance of observing such respectful moments in future, referencing Friday's upcoming match against Bournemouth as a test. Reflecting on the timing of events, Slot also mentioned the five weeks since the tragic incident, suggesting perhaps the memory was fading for some, despite the profound impact of the loss. The significance of Liverpool's 2-2 draw win via penalties, highlighted by Hugo Ekitike's opening goal timed at 20 minutes and 20 seconds – the number worn by Jota during his Anfield tenure – added another poignant layer to the occasion.
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