Football: Tribute at France-Sweden match for commentator
(WARSAW) - A minute's silence will be held before France's final Euro 2012 group game with Sweden to honour the memory of football commentator Thierry Roland, UEFA president Michel Platini said on Monday.
Platini said that Roland, who was France's best-known -- and most controversial -- commentator -- died overnight on Friday-Saturday, just hours after watching Les Bleus beat Ukraine 2-0 in Donetsk.
The UEFA boss, who as a player won the European championship with France in 1984 and remains the tournament's top scorer, was visibly shaken by news of Roland's death on Saturday and said he considered the broadcaster a friend.
Roland covered 13 World Cups and nine European championships for French television over a career spanning 60 years. But he was a controversial figure and criticised for over-the-top comments that some claim were racist or prejudicial.
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