England pay tribute to attack victims

London (AFP) – England’s football team paid tribute to the victims of Wednesday’s London terror attack ahead of their World Cup qualifier at home to Lithuania on Sunday.

England’s players, led by captain Joe Hart, wore black armbands at Wembley and the game was preceded by the laying of wreaths in the centre circle and a minute’s silence.

Four people were killed and over 50 injured when a lone attacker went on the rampage in Westminster before being shot dead by police.

“We know how important the national football team is for the feeling of the nation,” England manager Gareth Southgate said ahead of the game.

“It’s a great opportunity for everybody to pay their respects at that moment and to show we go on.”

Armed police patrolled the perimeter of the stadium, as they had for the friendly against France in November 2015 that followed that month’s deadly attacks in Paris.

The black armbands were also a tribute to former England manager Graham Taylor, who died in January at the age of 72.