Everton, Benfica fans given Madeleine McCann T-shirts

Everton’s Europa League match at Benfica kicked off here on Thursday with fans of both teams wearing T-shirts to raise awareness about missing British girl Madeleine McCann.

Madeleine was three years old when she went missing while on holiday with her family in Portugal in May 2007.

Her parents launched a high-profile campaign to keep her image in the public eye and fans attending Thursday’s match at the city’s famous Estadio da Luz were given T-shirts featuring her face and the words, ‘We’re Still Looking For You’.

Madeleine is pictured wearing Everton’s blue home jersey in one of the most widely circulated photographs of her.

“I will never, ever forget that image of a beautiful, smiling child in an Everton shirt,” said Everton chairman Bill Kenwright.

“I believe that I was one of the first people outside the family to see it and it moved me greatly.

“In truth, like everyone else, I have felt nothing but deep sadness and mounting frustration as the search for Maddie has continued.

“However, I continue to be inspired by the dignity and the faith which (her parents) Kate and Gerry have displayed throughout their dreadful ordeal.

“This is just our way of reminding people – not just in the UK and Portugal but across the globe – that this child is still out there somewhere.”

The Merseyside club have produced 6,000 T-shirts for their match against Benfica – 3,000 in English and 3,000 in Portuguese.