Barcelona paid tribute to the victims of Thursday's terrorist attack "by wearing shirts with the city's name on the back, rather than players' names," according to Callum Davis of the London TELEGRAPH. Thirteen people were killed and "more than 100 injured" when a driver in a white van "mowed down pedestrians" on La Ramblas in the heart of Barcelona. A statement on the club's website said, "The first team will wear a special shirt with 'Barcelona' on the back where their names are usually displayed in Sunday's LaLiga opener against Real Betis." Barcelona Manager Ernesto Valverde added, "We would like to show our solidarity with the victims and their families in these difficult times. We are here to help in any way we can" (TELEGRAPH, 8/20). REUTERS' Richard Martin reported Barça was granted special permission from the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for the arrangement. Additionally, the message "#TotsSomBarcelona" ("We are all Barcelona") was embroidered on the front of the club's shirts and players wore black armbands during the match. Each team in Spain's top two divisions held a minute's silence before games over the weekend (REUTERS, 8/18).
