Margaret Thatcher's death has been met with an outpouring of tributes from around the world. But when it comes to the world of sport, there has been little love for the Iron Lady. Here she is pictured with the English national soccer team shortly after winning her first election in 1979.
All smiles —
Margaret Thatcher's death has been met with an outpouring of tributes from around the world. But when it comes to the world of sport, there has been little love for the Iron Lady. Here she is pictured with the English national soccer team shortly after winning her first election in 1979.
Hulton Archive/David Levenson/File
During her three terms in office, soccer experienced its darkest days. Hooliganism was rife, stadiums in a poor shape. Thatcher responded with draconian measures to stamp out the problem, forever alienating many soccer fans. In this picture she is attending the 1988 Scottish Cup final. Several figures within soccer suggested that this weekend's matches should see a minute silence before kick-off, which prompted a furious reaction from fans.
Standing to attention —
During her three terms in office, soccer experienced its darkest days. Hooliganism was rife, stadiums in a poor shape. Thatcher responded with draconian measures to stamp out the problem, forever alienating many soccer fans. In this picture she is attending the 1988 Scottish Cup final. Several figures within soccer suggested that this weekend's matches should see a minute silence before kick-off, which prompted a furious reaction from fans.
Getty Images/File
A minute's silence is usually held before kick off as a mark of respect for well-known sporting figures, or during moments of national tragedy and reflection. Here a Dutch league club observe a minute's silence to honor an amateur linesman who had died after being attacked during a youth match. The death had shocked the Netherlands and made headlines across the world.
A minute for the dead —
A minute's silence is usually held before kick off as a mark of respect for well-known sporting figures, or during moments of national tragedy and reflection. Here a Dutch league club observe a minute's silence to honor an amateur linesman who had died after being attacked during a youth match. The death had shocked the Netherlands and made headlines across the world.
Getty Images/ Dean Mouhtaropoulos/File
In some cases a minute's silence is held for more personal reasons. This Australian rugby team held a minute's silence after the mother of one of the players died suddenly.
Rugby unites —
In some cases a minute's silence is held for more personal reasons. This Australian rugby team held a minute's silence after the mother of one of the players died suddenly.
Getty Images/ Ian Hitchcock/File
Here the England and West Indies cricket teams observe a minute's silence to mark the tragic death of Surrey's 23-year old player Tom Maynard. County cricket teams also refused to hold a minute's silence to mark Thatcher's death.
Cricket mourns —
Here the England and West Indies cricket teams observe a minute's silence to mark the tragic death of Surrey's 23-year old player Tom Maynard. County cricket teams also refused to hold a minute's silence to mark Thatcher's death.
Getty Images/Clive Rose
Liverpool suffered badly under Thatcher's government. But it was the Conservative Party's response to the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989 -- where 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death at a match -- and the subsequent cover up by the police that was seen as unforgivable by the city's residents.
Football's nadir —
Liverpool suffered badly under Thatcher's government. But it was the Conservative Party's response to the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989 -- where 96 Liverpool fans were crushed to death at a match -- and the subsequent cover up by the police that was seen as unforgivable by the city's residents.
Getty Images/Pascal Rondeau/File
This weekend marks the 24th anniversary of the tragedy. A minute's silence will be held for the victims of Hillsborough at the Reading versus Liverpool match in the English Premier League.
Never forget —
This weekend marks the 24th anniversary of the tragedy. A minute's silence will be held for the victims of Hillsborough at the Reading versus Liverpool match in the English Premier League.
Getty Images/Alex Livesey
But there is one soccer club in England that will hold a minute's silence for Thatcher. Wingate & Finchley is a non-league team in the same constituency that Thatcher represented. According to the club's former chairman she played an instrumental role in saving the club, which has a largely Jewish identity and was formed after the Second World War to fight anti-Semitism.
Portrait of a Lady —
But there is one soccer club in England that will hold a minute's silence for Thatcher. Wingate & Finchley is a non-league team in the same constituency that Thatcher represented. According to the club's former chairman she played an instrumental role in saving the club, which has a largely Jewish identity and was formed after the Second World War to fight anti-Semitism.
AFP/Getty Images