Wellington Phoenix and Western Sydney Wanderers came together on Monday night to remember victims of the 2019 Christchurch terror attacks, two years to the day since the tragic event.
Fifty-one seats at Sydney's Bankwest Stadium - one for each victim - were covered, each bearing a name of a victim from the attacks.
In the past, the Phoenix have remembered the lives lost, wearing black armbands against the same opposition two days after the incident, while doing the same a year ago on March 15, 2020.
"Obviously, the events of this tragedy had a significant impact on people from both sides of the Tasman - which is still felt today - and for us as a club, it affected our players and staff immensely," says Phoenix general manager David Dome.
"We have long held a positive relationship with the Muslim community in Wellington - thanks in part to our 'Football for All' community programme - so it was important for us to stand in solidarity with this community in the days and years following this unthinkable tragedy.
"As we're unable to play at home this season due to COVID, Western Sydney Wanderers have been fantastic in working with us to continue the club's tradition of honouring the 51 fallen, this time at Bankwest Stadium.
"We thank them for the compassion and support they've shown with tonight's tribute."
Monday night's match was also be the first played during the A-League's ‘Harmony Week’, celebrating cultural diversity.
