UEFA has vowed to remember the unfortunate people who suffered from the terrible flood and landslides in Nepal before each of the 18 Champions League matches this week. In respect of victims, each match will include a minute of silence before the event starts. A special banner supporting victims will be shown in front of every match. The banner will have the words, “You are not alone Nepal”.
The flood started after the ice and rock avalanche on August 26, which occurred near the border of Nepal and Tibet and has caused a lot of damage in the north and central regions of Nepal. Houses, roads, bridges and other types of infrastructure were severely damaged causing trouble for rescue and recovery procedures.
UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said, “The entire European football family will stand together before this week’s matches to express our deepest condolences and our support to the people of Nepal. We wish them strength and resilience as they continue to recover from this tragedy and its aftermath.”
The tribute will be seen across the opening week of the new Champions League campaign, which begins on Tuesday. UEFA has also held similar tributes in the past following major disasters, including the Morocco earthquake and Libya floods in 2023. The gesture is meant to show support and remind those affected that they are not alone during a difficult time.
Hyundai becomes UEFA Champions League partner after signing multi-year agreement
Hyundai Motor Company has signed a long-term contract to be the official automotive sponsor of the UEFA Champions League, beginning in the 2026/27 season and running through the 2030/31 season. The deal adds to Hyundai’s already long-standing commitment to the sport of football, as the company has supported it for nearly thirty years.
Hyundai plans to leverage the Champions League platform to reach fans in Europe and to promote its latest technological advancements in mobility. The partnership will see the IONIQ 3, an electric compact hatchback designed specifically for the European market, being the first Hyundai vehicle to be promoted through this agreement. Moreover, it will be one of five new models that will be introduced in the European market by Hyundai.
Hyundai CEO José Muñoz said, “Football has been part of Hyundai for almost 30 years. It brings people together like almost nothing else, across languages and borders and generations.” He added that the Champions League is the best club football in the world and an ideal platform for Hyundai to connect with fans.
Hyundai Motor Europe CEO Xavier Martinet said, “The UEFA Champions League and Hyundai are both driven by progress, performance, and the ambition to bring people together.” UC3 Co-Managing Director Guy-Laurent Epstein also welcomed the partnership, saying Hyundai has a proud history of supporting football at the highest level and believes in its power to bring people together.
