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Northern Ireland plan to honour supporter Darren Rodgers

Poland v Northern Ireland - EURO 2016 - Group C
Image: Northern Ireland supporters at their Euro 2016 opener against Poland

Northern Ireland will seek permission from UEFA to mark the death of a fan with a minute's silence before their next Euro 2016 game.

Darren Rodgers, 24, fell from a promenade in Nice in the hours after the Irish began their finals campaign with a 1-0 defeat to Poland.

And Irish Football Association chief executive Patrick Nelson confirmed the intention to honour the supporter on Thursday, when Michael O'Neill's side play Ukraine.

He said: "The young lad came out to watch some games of football, part of a huge movement from Northern Ireland, a very joyous movement, and it's a tragedy for his family and his friends.

Darren Rodgers
Image: Darren Rodgers, 24, died after falling from a promenade in Nice

"We'll ask UEFA whether it's appropriate to have a minute's silence before the game and/or to wear black armbands."

O'Neill said: "My message to the supporters is make sure you look after each other while you are out here. Please enjoy yourselves and have a great time but please be careful. Take care of each other.

"I can only imagine what his family are going through - going out here with your friends, to be part of the tournament, and then for the parents to find out the nature of the tragedy, I'm sure is terrible. In truth, I can't imagine what that feeling will be like."

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Sky Sports News HQ's Paul Gilmour reports on the death of a Northern Ireland fan at Euro 2016

Football Association of Ireland chief executive John Delaney sent condolences on behalf of the Republic of Ireland, saying: "I want to extend my deepest sympathies, and those of everyone at the FAI, to the family and friends of Mr Rodgers, and to offer our support at this time to the IFA and its President Jim Shaw and CEO Patrick Nelson.

"A young man who went to enjoy a football tournament will not be coming home, and we are saddened by such a sad loss."

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