Football pays tribute to Rob Burrow: England fans hold minute’s applause for the Rugby League legend at St James’ Park ahead of Three Lions’ friendly with Bosnia after his death

England fans took a moment at St James’ Park before Monday’s international friendly to pay tribute to Rob Burrows following his death.

Burrow’s tragic death was announced on Sunday evening by his former club Leeds Rhinos, aged 41.

The former rugby star was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in 2019, two years after retiring from a 17-year career that saw him win eight Super League titles.

Since his death, tributes have been paid by former teammates, fans and a number of leading figures from both inside and outside the sporting world.

Before kick-off, the England national team paid their own tribute to the man, with minutes of applause to honor him before the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Burrow’s impact was so great that it spread to all sports, with football paying his tribute before the game

Rob Burrow died on Sunday after suffering from motor neurone disease since 2019

As attendees clapped on the floor for the rugby legend, the English band could be heard among them playing ‘There’s only Rob Burrow’ during the tribute.

On the screens around the stadium, a photo of Burrow was cast across the field, reflecting the sadness of his death.

Presenter Jules Breach presented for Channel 4’s coverage of the game and said: ‘The audience is taking a moment to pay tribute to Rob Burrow, who sadly passed away yesterday.

“Rob’s brilliant career on the field and his courageous battle against motor neurone disease are equally inspiring and he will be greatly missed by fans of all sports.”

Rugby will pay its own tribute to Burrow before this weekend’s men’s and women’s Challenge Cup finals.

Before the final there will be a minute’s silence and applause in the seventh minute of the matches.

Burrow enjoyed a 17-year rugby league career during which he won eight Super League titles

In 2021 he was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honors List for his services to ALS and sport

Players will wear black armbands and there are plans to pay floral tributes as per rugby league statute outside Wembley.

Within hours of Burrow’s death, a sea of ​​floral tributes was paid outside the Leeds Rhinos stadium as fans sent their own condolences to their club legend.

Since being diagnosed with the condition, Burrow has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of MND, so much so that he was awarded an MBE in 2021 for his services to support and sport in general.