Wimbledon breaks iconic 148-year rule after Diogo Jota’s tragic death

A tradition that has stood since 1877 will be broken for the first time at Wimbledon following the death of Liverpool footballer Diogo Jota.

Liverpool striker Diogo Jota. Photo: Oli Scarff/AFP.

Wimbledon have made the extraordinary move to break 148 years of tradition to honour Liverpool star Diogo Jota.

Officials will allow players to break the tournament’s all white dress code to wear black ribbons as a tribute to the Portuguese player who tragically lost his life on Thursday night (AEST).

Jota and his brother André Silva were found dead near the city of Zamora in Spain after their Lamborghini veered off the road and burst into flames.

It is understood the car crash that killed the Premier League winner may have been cause by a blown tyre, with police still investigating.

Francisco Cabral of Portugal wearing a black ribbon in honur of Jota. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Nuno Borges, of Portugal, wearing a black ribbon on his hat in memory of compatriot Diogo Jota,. (Mike Egerton/PA via AP)

The tragic event comes just 10 days after Jota married his childhood sweetheart Rute Cardoso, with whom he shared three children with, and event he had just shared with everyone on Instagram just hours before his death.

Jota was a prolific member of the Portuguese national team, winning the UEFA Nations League just last month.

He was also a beloved figure in Merseyside since arriving to the Reds in 2020, netting 65 goals in 182 appearances,

Rute Cardoso and Diogo Jota shared a post captioned "yes to forever" after they wed, the star’s final post hours before his death. Picture: Instagram.

The wreckage of the Lamborghini near the town of Cernadilla, close to Zamora, Spain. The car crash occurred just after midnight Spanish authorities said the vehicle left the road and caught fire upon impact. Photo: Octavio Passos/Getty Images.

He won four trophies along the way as a crucial member of both Jürgen Klopp and Arne Slot’s teams.

As a result Wimbledon have elected under special circumstances to allow the players to honour Jota if they wish — moving away from the rule in place since 1877.

Portuguese Tennis player Francisco Cabral was in the car on the way to his Wimbledon doubles match when the news came.

Cabral partnered with Austrian Lucas Miedler defeated Scotland’s Jamie Murray and American Rajeev Ram with the incident fresh in his mind and gave an emotional interview about his fellow countryman.

“I have seen the very sad news,” Cabral said.

“The guy is a big name, not just in Portugal but in the world. He was a great human being with a nice family and three kids.

“My best wishes to them all. For his family, it is very tough to recover from that.”

Iga Swiatek embraces Caty McNally wearing traditional Wimbledon attire. Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images.

Novak Djokovic wearing the traditional threads. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images.

Cabral had not been able to organise a black armband in time for the match but confirmed he will be sourcing one before his next match against Czech Republic duo Petr Nouza and Patrik Rikl.

“I couldn’t get one [an armband] in time today, but I want to in the next one.”

Liverpool in their statement said they were “devastated by the tragic passing,” with Klopp also taking to Instagram to share his pain.

“I’m heartbroken to hear about the passing of Diogo and his brother Andre. Diogo was not only a fantastic player, but also a great friend, a loving and caring husband and father! We will miss you so much!” Klopp said.

Tributes lie in memory of Liverpool player Diogo Jota poured in at Anfield, home of Liverpool FC, in Liverpool. Photo: AP Photo/Ian Hodgson.

Football fans came out in droves to pay tribute to the Premier League winner. Photo: AP Photo/Ian Hodgson.

Former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, who made a big-money move to Real Madrid in the offseason, halted his new club’s training to honour Jota with a minute silence.

Current coach Slot revealed his last words to Jota were over the phone, congratulating the Portuguese star on his international triumph and wedding.

“My first thoughts are not those of a football manager. They are of a father, a son, a brother and an uncle,” Slot said.

“My message to them (Jota and Silva) is very clear – you will never walk alone. The players, the staff, the supporters of Liverpool Football Club are all with you and from what I have seen today, the same can be said of the wider family of football.

“The last time we spoke, I congratulated Diogo on winning the Nations League and wished him luck for his forthcoming wedding. In many ways, it was a dream summer for Diogo and his family, which makes it all the more heartbreaking that it should end like this.”

Originally published as Wimbledon breaks iconic 148-year rule after Diogo Jota’s tragic death