Tragedy struck the Belvedere Football Club in Dublin, Ireland, when one of their players, a young Nigerian footballer, Shetemi Ayetigbo slumped and died during a match on Sunday May 31st
A 16 year old Nigerian midfielder, Shetemi Ayetigbo, who plays for Belvedere Football Club in Dublin, Ireland, slumped and died while playing in a league match at the St Kevin’s Boys Football grounds, on Sunday, May 31.
Shetemi Ayetigbo
According to an eyewitness' narrative to Mirror UK, Shetemi suddenly slumped and died while playing with his mates.
The source said: "There was no incident, any attack. The young lad was playing, and he just dropped on the pitch. It was around 25 to 30 minutes into the game. A number of people rushed to his side straight away to give him first aid, as there was a defibrillator at the grounds. An ambulance came, and paramedics tried to treat him there. But he couldn’t be saved. They then took his body to the hospital."
"The match was cancelled. Everyone was in shock. The young players, staff, and supporters had never witnessed anything like that on a football pitch. There were a good few people watching the match because it was the last game of the season.”.
Ayetigbo's club, Belvedere, released a statement in which they confirmed the death of Shetemi who was fondly called Shay by his fellow teammates.
The statement read: “Belvedere Football Club is mourning the death of one of our U16 players who tragically collapsed while playing for the club [yesterday]. While all of our members are in deep shock, our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this tragic time. We ask that the privacy of the family be respected as the club supports them in grieving their boy.”