Greece captain slams 'jokes' and 'insinuations' made following George Baldock's death

Tasos Bakasetas has criticised certain sections of the Greek media for their "telling jokes" and "insinuations" following the tragic death of ex-Sheffield United star George Baldock.

The 31-year-old attacking midfielder, who also played alongside Baldock at Panathinaikos, made his comments after his team secured a memorable 2-1 victory against England at Wembley on Thursday night thanks to Vangelis Pavlidis' brace. Speaking to journalists, he said: "I consider it the most important victory of my life. And I am really very proud.

"With these children we share the locker room of the national team, we are inside the stadium, because everyone gave their lives today from the first minute despite the tragic news. This is where I think a full stop comes in as far as football is concerned.

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"I want to dedicate this victory, of course, to George, to his family, to send them our strength and us doing everything we could. Furthermore, it is a shame that some of your colleagues, I won't say all, because there are some who do their job exceptionally well, used this tragedy by writing and telling jokes, leaving insinuations.

"This has to stop because, above everyone and everything, you have to be human. Some have not understood this and it is really a great shame what we saw before the game.

"They disrespected first of all George's family and then all of us who had that contact with them." Following the confirmation of Baldock's cause of death as drowning, his former Greece team-mates paid a poignant tribute by securing a historic win over England, with match-winner Pavlidis adding: "It was a very special day and match for us.

"Our thoughts are with George. We are professionals and had to play the match. We gave our soul for him tonight. Today is not a day to talk about football. He was part of our team. We will miss him very much. Also to wish strength to his family and not talk about football. The whole day was numb.

"We won tonight and don't want to celebrate. There are just no words."

The match had gone ahead despite Greece's request to UEFA for a postponement.