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European soccer to honor Pope
European soccer's governing body asked teams Monday to honor Pope John Paul II during key games this week.
UEFA requested a minute of silence before the start of the Champions League quarterfinals Tuesday and Wednesday and at UEFA Cup games Thursday.
"Pope John Paul II was a great worldwide leader of people and a firm believer in peace," UEFA chief executive Lars-Christer Olsson said. "His work and efforts in this area commanded enormous respect and recognition from people all over the world, no matter their religious beliefs or persuasion."
The tributes at soccer games had begun during league games last weekend.
All soccer games in Italy were called off Sunday while soccer games in Germany started with a moment's silence. All games in Spain were marked with silence at some stadiums and music and prayers at others. Some teams wore black armbands.
The organization overseeing all sports in Italy had called off all weekend events Saturday, hours before the pope died.
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