LONDON, June 23: England players made a formal request on Wednesday to wear black armbands for their forthcoming Euro 2004 quarter final clash against Portugal.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's side made the request to UEFA - European soccer's governing body - in remembrance of Stephen Smith who died Tuesday after being stabbed by a Ukrainian pickpocket in central Lisbon.

Sky Sports reported that a spokesman for the Football Association (FA) had asked Uefa for permission as a mark of respect for the 27-year-old fan. The attack took place after England beat Croatia 4-2 to book a place in the last eight of the tournament.

Portuguese police said the Briton had been stabbed in the heart and died of his injuries after being taken to hospital in the Portuguese capital. -AFP