Minute’s silence in Qatar

FC Bayern held a minute’s silence in Qatar on Sunday in memory of Wolfsburg pro Junior Malanda, who has died in a motorway accident. Prior to the morning training session the FCB playing and coaching staff gathered on the practice ground to mourn the loss of the 20-year-old Belgian junior international.

“As a club we wish to express our deepest sympathy to his relatives and his club,” commented Matthias Sammer. Everyone in the Bayern party was shocked and shaken by the tragic news from Germany, the sporting director said. “It’s terrible and we’re desperately sad. It’s impossible to find the words. It’s dreadful.”

“It’s hard to talk about,” commented Franck Ribéry, “it’s a brutal situation. He and his family are in all our thoughts.” Holger Badstuber said: “It’s a tragedy. We send great sympathy and condolences.”

Malanda was killed in a car crash on the A2 Autobahn near Porta Westfalica in North-Rhine Westphalia on Saturday afternoon.