Coach Arne Slot confirmed that Liverpool’s board of directors has decided to pay the remaining balance of Diogo Jota’s contract to his family, following the tragedy that happened in July.
Liverpool did the right thing by the Jota family.
The 28-year-old Portuguese striker died in a car crash with his younger brother Andre Silva on July 3, just 11 days after he married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso and left behind three young children.
At that time, Portuguese press reported that Fenway Sports Group – Liverpool’s owner – had committed to paying the remaining two years of Jota’s contract, worth £140,000/week until 2027. In a recent interview with TNT Sports, coach Slot confirmed this:
“I am very proud of the reaction of the fans and the way the club’s board have acted. Normally, owners are criticised just like managers, but the decision to pay Jota’s wife and children the full contract amount is not normal in football.”
Slot also got emotional when mentioning the affection that fans have for Jota :
“The reaction from the fans after that tragedy was incredible, the flowers, the memorials… I almost cry thinking about it. The players showed great respect during and after the funeral. But then we had to go back to training. Sometimes I wonder how his wife and children are feeling. Life has to go on for us, but for Jota’s family the pain will last forever.”
In memory of Jota, Liverpool have officially retired the number 20 shirt. In addition, Chelsea players also contributed part of their Club World Cup bonus to his family.
