England football team pays tribute to attack victims

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.