‘You are not alone, Nepal’: UEFA pays tribute to flood victims before CL games

UEFA on Monday announced that a minute of silence will be observed before every UEFA Champions League match this week, while a banner reading “You are not alone Nepal” will be displayed as a mark of solidarity with the families of victims of the devastating floods in Nepal.

The gesture comes after a glacier collapse triggered a massive flood of ice, rock and mud down the Trishuli River in Nepal's border region with China on August 26, devastating towns and villages.

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According to Nepal's disaster agency, 1,294 bodies have so far been recovered, while 5,053 people remain missing.

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A flooded road following a flash flood in Galchhi, Dhading district, Nepal, August 26, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS

“The entire European football family will stand together before this week’s matches to express our deepest condolences and our support to the people of Nepal,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said in a statement.

“We wish them strength and resilience as they continue to recover from this tragedy and its aftermath.”

The moment of silence and the banner will be part of all Champions League matches this week as European football pays tribute to those affected by the disaster.

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Flowers are placed as a tribute at the core disaster-hit area at Gyirong Port amid rescue efforts following the August 26 mudslide, during an organised media tour in Shigatse, Tibet Autonomous Region, China September 6, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS

Meanwhile, the league phase of the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League kicks off on Tuesday, with several intriguing encounters scheduled for Matchday 1.

Tuesday, September 8

Club Brugge vs Aston Villa — 18:45
AEK Athens vs LASK — 18:45
Real Madrid vs Inter
Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal
Porto vs Manchester City
Lille vs Real Betis

Wednesday, September 9

Barcelona vs Feyenoord — 18:45
Stuttgart vs Viking — 18:45
Paris vs Slovan Bratislava
Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid
Sporting CP vs Galatasaray
Napoli vs Arsenal

Thursday, September 10

PSV vs Shakhtar — 18:45
Fenerbahçe vs Roma — 18:45
Bayern München vs Bodø/Glimt
Manchester United vs Sabah
Slavia Praha vs Lens
Como vs Leipzig