Northern Ireland fan confirmed dead following match in Lyon

French police have confirmed that a Northern Ireland fan who collapsed in the closing stages of the team's Euro 2016 victory over Ukraine has died.
By The Newsroom
Published 16th Jun 2016, 20:44 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 18:09 BST
The spot in the stand of the Stade de Lyon where a Northern Ireland fan collapsed and died during the game against UkraineThe spot in the stand of the Stade de Lyon where a Northern Ireland fan collapsed and died during the game against Ukraine
The spot in the stand of the Stade de Lyon where a Northern Ireland fan collapsed and died during the game against Ukraine

In a statement on Thursday evening, a PSNI spokesman said the man was aged in his 60s and from Belfast.

Superintendent Nigel Goddard, who is working in France alongside the local police, said; “Our thoughts are tragically with a second family this week mourning the devastating loss of their loved one. We understand the man aged in his sixties collapsed during the game and was attended to by emergency services in the Stade de Lyon.

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“It is extremely sad that this is the second death of a Northern Ireland fan in France during the Euro 2016 games.

“We have been liaising with French authorities and local PSNI officers have been in touch with the man’s family in Belfast.”

One Northern Ireland sitting just feet away from the casualty used Facebook to say that medics erected a screen while they fought to save his life.

Pictures are emerging from France of flags placed at the spot where he collapsed as a tribute.

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One Northern Ireland fan from Portadown said he was left with “mixed emotions” following his team’s 2-0 victory - the first at a major tournament in 34 years.

The fan said: “Unfortunately he did not see the [first] goal or the win, but the Green and White Army done it for him.

“Was honoured to leave my flag on the gentleman’s seat”.

Related topics:Northern IrelandUkraineFrancePSNIBelfastFacebook