This weekend’s Bundesliga and second-division football matches in Germany will begin with a minute’s silence to honour the victims of Friday’s tragic attack in Magdeburg, the German Football League (DFL) has announced.
A vehicle ploughed through a crowded Christmas market in the city, killing five people and injuring more than 200. The incident has left the nation in shock.
“German professional football is deeply saddened by the attack on the Christmas market in Magdeburg,” the DFL said in a statement. “We recommend teams wear black armbands of mourning and support holding a minute’s silence at this weekend’s matches to pay tribute to the victims.”
In a related move, the German Handball League has postponed Sunday’s Bundesliga match between Magdeburg and Eisenach out of respect for the tragedy.
Police have arrested a 50-year-old Saudi psychiatrist at the scene, where a battered SUV was found after it rammed through the festive crowd.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited the site on Saturday, condemning the “terrible catastrophe” and urging unity during this difficult time.
