Greek football player George Baldock found dead at home in Athens; investigators rule out crime

George Baldock, who played for the Greek national football team, was found dead at his home near Athens. He was 31 years old.

According to police, Baldock’s body was discovered Wednesday in a swimming pool in Glyfada, a suburb south of Athens. Other details about Baldock’s death were not immediately available.

Authorities have ruled out foul play, and police spokeswoman Konstantina Dimoglidou told the Associated Press that the coroner who examined the body “informed us that there is no evidence of a criminal act.”

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Former Greek international and Panathinaikos defender George Baldock, who previously played for Sheffield United, was found dead at his home in Athens, Greek media reported. (AP Photo/João Matos, Archive)

Dimoglidou also said that Baldock’s house was searched.

“The house was also searched by the criminal investigation department. It does not appear that a criminal act occurred, but the investigation continues in case of any eventuality,” he added.

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Greek and born in Great Britain, Baldock played 12 matches for the Greek national team. He last appeared in March in a match against Georgia in the Euro 2024 playoffs.

The Greek Football Federation, through the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), expressed condolences to Baldock’s loved ones.

“There are no words to describe the human pain caused by the news of the premature loss of one of our young people,” the statement said. “This moment calls for silence. Condolences to your family. Condolences to your second family. Goodbye.”

George Baldock of Sheffield United during an English Premier League football match against Manchester City at Bramall Lane in Sheffield, England on January 21, 2020. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, Archive)

In addition to international competition, Baldock played for Sheffield United in early 2017. He helped the club gain promotion to the Premier League twice, in 2019 and 2023. Earlier this year, he left Sheffield United and joined Panathinaikos FC. Super League Greece.

Sheffield United released a statement on social media after learning of Baldock’s death.

George Baldock of Sheffield United during a pre-season match against Chesterfield on July 15, 2023, in Chesterfield, England. (Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

“Sheffield United Football Club is shocked and extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former player George Baldock,” a club statement said. “The defender left the club in the summer after seven years at Bramall Lane and was hugely popular with fans, staff and team-mates, who wore a red and white shirt alongside him.”

Panathinaikos said news of Baldock’s death left the organization “shocked.”

“We are shocked and dismayed by the loss of our George. Panathinaikos’ family mourns his sudden passing. We stand with George Baldock’s family and loved ones.”

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The English Football Association has confirmed there will be a period of silence before Thursday’s Nations League game between England and Greece at Wembley, and players on both sides will wear black armbands. UEFA said a similar tribute will be paid when Greece host Ireland on Sunday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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