Xuenou > Sports > Footballer, 15, dies after ‘fight with opponent’ at international youth tournament
Footballer, 15, dies after ‘fight with opponent’ at international youth tournament
Footballer, 15, dies after 'fight with opponent' at international youth tournament,A German youth footballer has died aged just 15 following an alleged fight with an opposition player after they'd faced off in a tournament in Frankfurt last weekend

Footballer, 15, dies after ‘fight with opponent’ at international youth tournament

A teenage footballer has died from brain injuries sustained in a fight with an opponent at an international youth tournament.

The 15-year-old, who played for German club JFC Berlin, allegedly clashed with a unnamed player, 16, from a performance programme team representing French outfit FC Metz at the tournament in Frankfurt, which featured sides from several different countries.

They're said to have come to blows post-match on Sunday (May 28), with the victim also suffering head and neck injuries before collapsing. He later passed away in hospital but has been kept artificially alive in line with his family’s wishes to preserve and donate his organs.

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According to NW News, the suspect has been detained by local authorities. Three days on from the incident, Metz issued a statement earlier today (May 31).

It read: "FC Metz has learned of the incident that took place in Frankfurt during a friendly private U17-U19 football tournament in which two FC Metz Performance Programme teams were participating.

"At the end of a match which had taken place in good spirits, an incomprehensible altercation took place and a young German player was hospitalised in serious condition, with his condition being able to be established today.

"The German justice in charge of the case is now investigating the incident to shed light on these tragic facts.

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A 15-year-old player from JFC Berlin has died from brain injuries sustained in a fight

"A young player from FC Metz Performance Program is currently being held 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 entirety 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."

Berlin FA president Bernd Schultz, meanwhile, has said: "Our thoughts and sympathies go out to all the relatives and team members of the player concerned in these difficult hours."

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