Greece captain Tasos Bakasetas has criticised sections of the Greek media for ‘telling lies’ about George Baldock’s death.
Bakasetas was also a club team-mate of Baldock at Panathinaikos and insisted that the game against England on Thursday night shouldn’t have been played.
Tributes were paid to Baldock at Wembley after the former Sheffield United and Greece defender passed away at the age of 31.
Greece won 2-1 against England, with Bakasetas dedicating the victory to Baldock.
Bakasetas was unhappy with how some reporters in the Greek media covered Baldock’s death.
Tasos Bakasetas crticised sections of the Greek media for ‘telling lies’ about George Baldock’s death
Greece captain Bakasetas insists that the game against England shouldn’t have been played
As reported by The Mirror, Bakasetas 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. 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. This some have not understood 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.’
Bakasetas expressed his belief that the game at Wembley shouldn’t have gone ahead.
Bakasetas said: ‘The game should never have been played under the circumstances. It’s a shame that some of your colleagues are trying to profit from such a tragedy by saying nasty things about George and his family. Let’s be human in these moments. Not everyone moved on that wavelength. They should be ashamed. They should respect the child , his family and us. We can’t talk about football.’
Bakasetas was also team-mates with Baldock at club level for Panathinaikos
Tributes were paid to Baldock on an emotional night at Wembley on Thursday
Vangelis Pavlidis honoured Baldock after scoring Greece’s first goal against England
Before the game at Wembley Bakaseta delivered an emotional speech in the dressing room, which he dedicated to Baldock.
Baldock, who was capped 12 times by Greece, was found dead in his swimming pool in Athens.
Bakaseta told his Greece team-mates: ‘We know very well what a team we are and what we have achieved to get here.
‘We have nothing to fear from anyone and we are going to show it from the first minute. We know the specificity of the game, many of us know what George means.
‘George has always been an example for the team, giving his soul, putting the team above all and even sacrificing his physical integrity.
‘Today in the game will be our example. Each of us will sacrifice ourselves to honour him as he deserves. Let’s all be ready.’
Vangelis Pavlidis kissed his black armband in tribute to Baldock after scoring his first goal against England.
Pavlidis also scored the winner late on as Greece secured a shock victory.
