News

The mayor of Polish city Bydgoszcz has contacted Uefa to request that a minute’s silence be held in the memory of Irish supporter James Nolan at one of the Euro 2012 quarter-finals.

Nolan’s body was found in the city yesterday following a three-day search after he became separated from friends with whom he was attending the European Championships at the weekend.

The tragic circumstances surrounding Nolan’s death have cast a pall over the tournament and mayor of Bydgoszcz Rafal Bruski has sent a letter to Uefa President Michel Platini asking for a minute’s silence before one of the quarter-finals between now and Sunday to honour his memory.

“It would be a symbolic gesture of respect from all of us, showing that in such moments the great football family is united,” Bruski wrote in a letter to Platini, which was sent yesterday.

He also said in a separate public statement: “Let us pay tribute to the Irish – the best supporters of the tournament – and let it be a day of solidarity with those who are the most affected by this untimely death.”

An Irish flag is currently flying at half-mast in front of the city hall in Bydgoszcz as mark of respect for Nolan, while tricolours will also be flown in the city centre to honour his memory.

Photographs of James, Irish flags and black ribbons currently line the river Brda, where James was found, while cafes and restaurants in the city centre have also been displaying flags, photographs and black ribbons as a mark of respect.

Nolan’s death is currently under investigation but is being treated as an unfortunate accident. His body was discovered in Bydgoszcz yesterday and was identified by his older brother Andrew, his uncle and his two cousins after they flew out to Poland last night.

Nolan’s death has had a big effect on the Irish football community and Shay Given and Sean St. Ledger are amongst the Irish players who have tweeted of their sadness upon hearing the news.