England planning pre-Lithuania tribute following Westminster terror attack

There will be a tribute in recognition of the security services involved in Wednesday’s terror attack in London before England’s match with Lithuania at Wembley, Football Association chairman Greg Clarke has confirmed.

Police confirmed that four people, including an officer, were killed and at least 20 injured when an attacker said to be armed with a knife tried to gain access to the Houses of Parliament in Westminster.

The suspect, who was shot and killed by armed police, had earlier injured several people when he drove a vehicle into pedestrians on Westminster Bridge at around 1440 local time.

It was later confirmed that the incident was being treated by UK forces as a terror attack.

Speaking ahead of England’s friendly match in Germany at Signal Iduna Park, Clarke said via the FA official website: “Our thoughts are with all of those who have been affected by this terrible incident.

“We will be recognising the bravery of the security services and all those involved at the England v Lithuania match on Sunday.”

England boss Gareth Southgate said it was appropriate to hold some form of tribute back in London. 

“It puts football into perspective,” he told ITV prior to the Germany match. “We are conscious that part of our identity as a nation is that we carry on in moments like this.

“We have left everything else to our hierarchy. In terms of any tribute, we felt that in London on Sunday was the right thing to do.”