UEFA has announced today that a minute's silence will be observed before kick-off at all UEFA club competition matches taking place this week, as a show of support for Japan and as a mark of respect for the victims following the tragic earthquake and ensuing tsunami that affected the country on Friday 11 March.

"The entire European football family will stand united on the pitch this week before our matches, in order to express our deepest sympathy and full support to the Japanese people, and we wish them continued strength in tackling the subsequent problems following the tragedy," said UEFA president Michel Platini today.

The UEFA matches where a minute's silence will be observed include four UEFA Champions League round of 16 second-leg games, eight UEFA Europa League round of 16 second-leg fixtures and four UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-final first-leg matches.