A sudden death on the eve of a Champions Cup match
A South African player for the Johannesburg Lions was found dead on Friday morning in a hotel on the Île de Ré, on the eve of the Champions Cup match against La Rochelle. The news was confirmed to AFP by several consistent sources.
His identity has not been released, as his family has not yet been informed. According to a source close to the case, he was found in cardio-respiratory arrest.
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Free for 2 weeks.
An investigation opened, accidental death favoured
La Rochelle public prosecutor Arnaud Laraize confirmed he has opened an investigation to establish the cause of death. He said the hypothesis of an accidental death is favoured. An autopsy is planned, according to the same source close to the case.
Saturday’s match in doubt
The sudden death casts doubt over whether the match between the two sides, scheduled for Saturday at 6:30pm local time in the opening round of the Champions Cup, the competition bringing together the best European and South African clubs, will go ahead. It is the only match for which the organiser did not release team sheets on Friday, as it usually does the day before fixtures.
There is a precedent on everyone’s mind: ten years ago to the day, the death of Munster head coach Anthony Foley in the Paris region, on the eve of a match at Racing 92, led to that fixture being postponed at the Irish province’s request.
More to follow.
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