SOCCER
Why are there no names on England jerseys against Belgium?
The Three Lions will play the second half at Wembley Stadium without players’ surnames on the back of their shirts.
England continue their preparations for this summer’s European Championships with a friendly game against Belgium on Tuesday. Gareth Southgate’s side will be looking to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Brazil.
The game will be an opportunity for the England boss to give playing time to some of the younger, less experienced players in his squad. The likes of Kobbie Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Ivan Toney could all get minutes and the chance to impress ahead of Euro 2024.
Tuesday’s game will also provide the opportunity for England to publicise an important cause by making a small but significant change to their matchday jerseys. England players will come out for the second half wearing shirts without the players’ surnames on the back, breaking a key custom in soccer.
The move is part of a collaboration with the Alzheimer’s Society and is designed to “draw attention to how people with dementia lose precious memories, even the names of their favourite players.”
England players go nameless to draw awareness
The England - Belgium fixture has been officially designated as an Alzheimer’s Society International. The nameless shirts will be donated by the players post-match and will be auctioned to help raise crucial funds to support research into the condition.
Ahead of the game Alzheimer’s Society CEO Kate Lee said: “We hope this striking gesture with the players’ shirts will once again get fans across the country talking, and thinking about the signs and symptoms of dementia.
“By using football to shine a spotlight and increase awareness of dementia symptoms, we hope to not only encourage fans to donate towards our early diagnosis research, but also to support their loved ones just as much as they support their football team. This means taking crucial first steps in seeking a diagnosis if they suspect someone they care about may be affected. A diagnosis can be daunting but it’s better to know.”
Last year the partnership between English soccer and the Alzheimer’s Society was marked in a women’s international between England and Australia. In that game one third of the English team wore nameless shirts, drawing attention to the fact that one in three people born in the UK will develop dementia.