Prime Minister Keir Starmer said there are millions of football fans who will be shocked by the ‘devastating news’ of the death of 28-year-old Liverpool star Diogo Jota
Diogo Jota: Keir Starmer responds to ‘devastating’ news of footballer’s death
Keir Starmer has said his thoughts are with the family of the Liverpool star Diogo Jota.
The 28-year-old footballer died following a road traffic accident in Spain on Thursday morning.
Pedro Proenca, the president of the Portuguese Football Federation, later confirmed that Jota’s brother, Andre, 26, also died in the accident. The news comes just under two weeks after the Portugal international got married to his long-term girlfriend Rute Cardoso, with whom he has three children. They tied the knot on 22 June.
Responding to the news, Mr Starmer said his death was “devastating news” and that millions of Liverpool football fans would be shocked.
Asked about Jota’s death while speaking in east London, the Prime Minister told The Mirror: “Let me start with Jota, because this is devastating news.
“I’m sure I speak for everyone in saying our first thoughts are going to be with his family and his friends in particular. But there are millions of Liverpool fans, but also football fans, and non-fans, who will also be shocked by this.
“I think Liverpool Football Club have just put a statement out as I understand it, but it is devastating, and it is really important we bear in mind just how difficult a period this will be for his friends and for his family.”
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also paid tribute to the Liverpool player telling the Commons: “We just received the heartbreaking news a moment ago before we came in to the chamber that he lost his life at just 28 years of age.”
Ms Nandy said the whole House “is heartbroken by this news”, adding: “I wanted to send our sympathies to his family on behalf of the whole House.”
Shadow culture minister Saqib Bhatti had earlier said: “As we came into the chamber today there was tragic news of the passing of Diogo Jota, the Liverpool footballer, at the age of 28. So can I put our condolences to the friends and families and Liverpool fans across the world on that passing.”
Earlier, Liverpool confirmed the devastating news in a statement, which read: “Liverpool Football Club are devastated by the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. The club have been informed the 28-year-old has passed away following a road traffic accident in Spain along with his brother, Andre.
“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss. We will continue to provide them with our full support.”