9.11.2001 - Roma vs Real Madrid, Stadio Olympica Really? A football match? On day when thousands of people lost their lives, thousands of families were broken, countless people lost their friends and the world watched helplessly. It is hard to imagine that the players were putting on their kits, the fans were buying hot dogs and beer, the referees were checking their watches for accuracy and picking up a football and walking across the pitch to make their way to the center.
Stranger things have happened in football. The American and European unions were in constant discussions to decide whether these matches should be allowed to go on or not. Eventually it was decided and this was only one of the two football matches that were allowed to go on that day. It was decided this was the safest way to go because all flights were cancelled and there was no way that fans could go back.
In England, players stand around the center circle, before the match begins, to pay their respects. In Europe, however, they give a minute of the match away. As soon as the whistle blows, the ball is moved just half a yard and the players just hold their positions in silence for a minute of the match. The match was played. Madrid won 2-1 after an epic encounter.