Teenage football star dies after fight with rival player during international tournament with club ‘deeply shocked’
A TEENAGE football star has died after a fight with a rival player.
German police confirmed the 15-year-old victim, who played for JFC Berlin, passed away after clashing with an opponent from the youth side of French team Metz.
A statement read: “After a fight on Sunday… a 15-year-old boy died in hospital of serious brain injuries. In order to clarify the circumstances of (the death of the young German), an autopsy will be performed in the coming days.”
The shocking incident allegedly occurred at an international youth football tournament in Frankfurt on Sunday.
NW News claims a fight broke out at the end of a match between Metz and JFC Berlin’s youth sides.
A Metz player allegedly struck a Berlin opponent “on the head and neck”, with the German collapsing with a brain injury.
AFP reports the tragic teen was then kept alive on machines in order to donate his organs.
And he has now passed away, with a 16-year-old Metz player in pre-trial detention as police continue to investigate.
His club released a statement, saying: “FC Metz learned with amazement of the drama that took place in Frankfurt during a friendly private U17-U19 football tournament in which two FC Metz Performance Program teams participated.
“At the end of a match which had taken place in good spirits, an incomprehensible scuffle took place and a young German player was hospitalised in serious condition, without the causes of this state being able to be determined today, now established.
“At present, the German justice in charge of the case is investigating to shed light on these tragic facts.
“A young player from FC Metz Performance Program is currently heard by the German authorities and denies having deliberately damaged the physical integrity of the injured young player.
“FC Metz Performance Program, as well as all the players and parents present, are obviously at the disposal of the German authorities to help advance the investigation.
“The whole of FC Metz is deeply shocked by this tragedy and sends its most sincere support to the young player, his family and his loved ones.”
A number of tributes were paid to the JFC Berlin starlet.
Senator Iris Spranger said: “The fact a young man was taken from his life after a football game stunned me, left me speechless.
“I wish his relatives, friends and the team infinite strength in this darkest hour.”
Berlin FA president Bernd Schultz added: “Our thoughts and sympathies go out to all the relatives and team members of the player concerned in these difficult hours.”