UEFA Champions League to pay silent tribute to victims of Nepal floods

This week’s Champions League matches will begin with a moment of remembrance for the victims of the devastating flash floods and landslides in Nepal. European football’s governing body UEFA decided to pay tribute to all those affected by the disaster ahead of all 18 matches scheduled in the opening week of the competition. A banner will also be displayed as a sign of solidarity and support.

“A moment of silence will be observed and a banner will be displayed before all UEFA Champions League matches this week as a sign of solidarity and support.”

“The banner will carry the message ‘You are not alone Nepal,'” UEFA said in a statement.

An ice and stone avalanche triggered the devastating floods in Nepal near the Nepal-Tibetan border on August 26, causing widespread destruction in parts of northern and central Nepal.

The surging Bhotekoshi River tore through towns and villages, sweeping away homes and vehicles and severely damaging roads, bridges and hydroelectric infrastructure.

Nepal’s flash floods claimed more lives on Monday, raising the death toll to 1,355, as rescue teams continued to find bodies in the worst-hit areas, authorities said.

Search operations are still ongoing for 4,996 missing people, including at least 589 foreign nationals. Meanwhile, rescue teams have rescued 13,396 people, according to data released by Nepal’s National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority.

It is not the first time that UEFA has paid tribute to the victims of tragedies outside Europe. Similar gestures were made in September 2023 after a deadly earthquake in Morocco and devastating floods in Libya.

The new Champions League campaign begins on Tuesday with six games on the opening day, including Real Madrid’s highly anticipated clash with Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu. The next six matches are scheduled for Wednesday, with the remaining six matches being played on Thursday.

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Published on:

07 Sep 2026 19:34 IST