<
>

Johan Cruyff tribute planned for 14th minute of Netherlands-France friendly

Netherlands' friendly at home to France on Friday will pause for a minute's silence in the 14th minute to honour Johan Cruyff, the Dutch FA (KNVB) has announced.

Dutch legend Cruyff, whose clubs included Ajax and Barcelona, died at the age of 68 on Thursday after a battle with lung cancer.

Netherlands are next in action on Friday night at Ajax's Amsterdam Arena and will pay tribute to the three-time Ballon d'Or winner, who famously wore the No. 14 shirt for much of his career.

A statement on the governing body's website read: "The KNVB, including the Dutch national team, its staff and directors who met in Noordwijk, are saddened by the news that Johan Cruyff died on Thursday in Barcelona at the age of 68.

"Cruyff died in the presence of his family, to whom our thoughts go out at this time."

The statement described his death as "a great loss for Dutch football" and said there are several ways to honour him.

It continued: "As is known, the Dutch national team will face France on Friday in Amsterdam. Because of the great contribution of Johan Cruyff to national and international football, the match will be shut down for a minute's silence in the 14th minute.

"Amateur clubs are also called to reflect on Cruyff's death. What clubs do is for them to decide but they could hang flags at half-mast, wear black armbands or observe a silence in the 14th minute."

KNVB president Michael van Praag, who is also Ajax's honorary president, has called for the Amsterdam Arena to be renamed in honour of Cruyff.

"Ajax ought to name the Arena after Johan," he told NOS. "That's what I say as honorary chairman of Ajax."

Amsterdam mayor Eberhard van der Laan had earlier told De Telegraaf that he believed many Ajax fans would want the stadium to be renamed after their former player and manager, although he stopped short of actually proposing the idea himself.

On Thursday, Ajax's rivals Feyenoord -- Cruyff's final club as a player -- paused their friendly with Sparta Rotterdam in the 14th minute to pay tribute.

Blaise Matuidi has said France will try to honour Cruyff by performing well against Netherlands.

Matuidi, who also wears the No. 14 shirt and is captain of France in the absence of Hugo Lloris, said: "It's a sad day for the Netherlands and world football. We would like, in the name of the French team, to pay tribute to Cruyff. He marked the history of football with his talent, as a player and a manager.

"Over 90 minutes we're going to try to pay him tribute by playing a game of football -- it's what he would have wanted. He's a legend of football."

Barcelona are also set to pay tribute to Cruyff when they host Real Madrid at the Camp Nou, with the club currently considering various ideas according to El Mundo Deportivo.

Marca has said there are plans for a huge mosaic at the Camp Nou during the Clasico, while they will open up an area of the main stand for fans to express their sympathies from 10 a.m. local time this Saturday.

Cruyff's family released a statement on Friday, with his son Jordi Cruyff revealing they have been "touched" by the sympathy and tributes from across the world of football.