Wrexham’s Sam Smith has come under fire across social media for showing a ‘lack of respect’ during a minute’s applause on Tuesday night.
During the game between Watford and Wrexham, fans, players and staff came together to pay tribute to 15-year-old goalkeeper Amelia Aplin who died aged just 15 whilst playing for Oxford United’s academy on Saturday, March 7th.
As can be seen in footage posted by Sky Sports, the camera shows fans around the stadium and those on to the pitch paying a special tribute.
The referee took a moment pause the game, but Wrexham striker Sam Smith could be seen ignoring the minute’s applause.
Various other media outlets, including Reading Chronicle, Oxford Mail and This Is Oxfordshire, have also picked up on it.
Vicarage Road comes together to pay tribute to Amelia Aplin. pic.twitter.com/OSR6yM2vkX
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) March 17, 2026
A minute’s applause for Amelia 💛 pic.twitter.com/fnlj0MN9pk
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) March 17, 2026
Amelia’s father, Peter, a Watford season ticket holder for nearly 30 years, passed on his love for the club to his daughter.
“Football was put into its true perspective when we tragically lost one of our own,” said Watford chairman and chief executive officer Scott Duxbury.
“Amelia was part of the Watford family, and I was deeply saddened to hear of her passing at such a young age.
“She inherited her love of the club from her father, Peter, and I can only imagine the pain the family must be feeling.
“We are in contact with the family and will do anything we can to support them at this extremely difficult time.
“I hope they feel all our support when the clock hits 15 in tonight’s game.”
As mentioned, Sam Smith comes under fire across social media for ‘lack of respect’ during a minute’s applause…
@CScott____: I certainly didn’t look good in the videos I’ve seen. However, we’ve only seen about 4 seconds of a minute’s applause, so you’d hope he had clapped and this is just a misunderstanding.
@AdamMorrison25: I’m an Oxford fan, I’m not a torie atall. The fact is Sam Smith isn’t liked by us, On the first game after Joey Beauchamp’s passing he showed massive disrespect to Oxford, and again last night he showed massive disrespect, maybe he just doesn’t have empathy, or he’s a knob 🤔
@cbarson: Everybody apart from Sam Smith that is. The same Sam Smith that disrespected Joey Beauchamp’s memory when he played against OUFC previously and had to make it all about him. RIP Amelia
@RodHiles: Everyone on the pitch clapping apart from Sam Smith. Tells you everything about him #OUFC rip Amelia Aplin 💛
@adamReadingFC: Sam Smith that is a very poor look.
@crobbyg: is that a wrexham player moaning to the ref during this AND one of their players not even clapping? classless as per usual horrible club
@Joe_Citrone: Sam Smith seemingly the only player not applauding. Why is he like this? #oufc
@Laurencereade: Sam Smith has previous… we haven’t forgotton.
@RodHiles: Everyone on the pitch clapping apart from Sam Smith. Tells you everything about him #OUFC rip Amelia Aplin 💛
@capaled: Not a great look Sam
@NoThankYou93: no excuses, 0 class, vile
@duffers0000: Watford player telling him to show some respect. There is no misunderstanding, he just didn’t care. Terrible look, Wrexham would do well to make sure it doesn’t happen again as image is everything these days
@eaststandoufc: Not the first time and probably not the last, what an embarrassment
@DNSYE_podcast: In fairness thanks to the ref for pausing the game and to all the Wrexham players, staff and fans who joined in with the applause. Much appreciated. 💛💔🖤
@Bozzywxm11: Yeah very disrespectful.. not good that
@connor_mh: I mean that’s pretty disgusting from Smith. Normally you could make an argument for someone maybe not knowing what was going on but there is no chance he didn’t know why the game was stopped and EVERYBODY apart from him was clapping there..🤮
@Kingwolf84: Class from all those at Vicarage Road tonight…. Fans, Players and Ref all paying their respects…. This is what football is all about – a community coming together.
@realpaulhawtin: Fair play to all here, apart from Sam Smith obviously 🙄 #oufc #wfc
@ClaireGffc: Im sure the Oxford fans will let sam Smith know their feelings on the 21st April.
@YamYamKally: Hi @samtsmith_ any reason you didn’t feel like applauding the memory of the life of a young academy player and fan who tragically passed away? Maybe the cameras didn’t pick up everything, but you’ve come accross as a pr*ck here, so you may want to clarify