Fiorentina and Crystal Palace pay tribute to Alex Manninger with gesture after tragic death

Fiorentina and Crystal Palace pay tribute to Alex Manninger with gesture after tragic deathFiorentina and Crystal Palace paid tribute to Alex Manninger ahead of their Europa Conference League clash at the Artemio Franchi Stadium on Thursday eveningCommentsSportMatthew Abbott Sports Writer and Aaron Morris Senior Sports Reporter20:15, 16 Apr 2026Updated 20:25, 16 Apr 2026View ImageFiorentina and Crystal Palace observed a minute's silence in tribute to Alex Manninger(Image: HBO MAX)Fiorentina and Crystal Palace observed a minute's silence in tribute to the late Alex Manninger ahead of their Europa Conference League clash on Thursday evening. The two sides met at the Artemio Franchi Stadium for an 8pm kick-off with the Eagles headed into the tie 3-0 up on aggregate.‌But before the encounter got underway, Fiorentina paid homage to club legend Manninger, who died in a car crash near Salzberg on Thursday morning. Both teams entered the pitch with black arm bands on as a tribute to the 48-year-old, before they lined up around the centre circle for a minute's silence.‌A photograph of the ex-goalkeeper, who played in Florence on loan from Arsenal between 2001 and 2002, was shown on the big screen and the air turned noiseless for the duration.‌READ MORE: David Seaman pays heartbreaking tribute to Alex Manninger after ex-Arsenal goalkeeper's deathREAD MORE: Arsenal and Liverpool send tributes to Alex Manninger after goalkeeper's death aged 48The match took place just over 12 hours after Manninger died in the aftermath of a train hitting his car at a level crossing near Salzburg in Austria.In response to the news of his death, the Italian club said: "Fiorentina mourns the sudden passing of Alex Manninger, the Viola goalkeeper in the 2001-2002 season, who had a long career in Italy and as the Austrian national team's goalkeeper. The entire club joins his family in this moment of profound grief."Manninger played 30 matches for Fiorentina du...