A footballer in Spain has died after playing in a pre-season friendly. Javier Guitian played for Asturias’ non-league side San Jorge de Llanes on Saturday in a friendly against Urraca.
But as he drove home from the fixture, the 27-year-old is suspected to have suffered a heart attack.
Emergency services attended the scene in an attempt to resuscitate Guitian.
According to Spanish media outlet El Comercio, the player felt ill behind the wheel and duly pulled over his vehicle. He was said to have collapsed after getting out of the car.
Paramedics then reportedly spent an hour treating him outside the La Xagarda restaurant in Asturias but were unable to save him. And on Tuesday, Guitian’s club released a statement paying tribute.
“We cannot find an explanation for what happened yesterday afternoon,” they said, via the club Instagram account. “There are no words to describe the void you leave in our club, a very hard blow that we have to face.
“At Ereba you will always be present, 22. From the club, we send all the strength in the world to the family and friends in these difficult times.”
Opposing side Urraca also released a statement that read: “We join in the pain after the terrible loss of Javi Guitian, with whom we played a friendly match yesterday. In addition to a great person and athlete, Javi was a very close friend of the bulk of our team.
“The first team is a great source of joy for us, which is why we feel it even more. We want to send our condolences to his family and friends in this irreparable loss, rest in peace Javi.”
Fellow Spanish club AD Guillen Lafuerza replied to the post of San Jorge de Llanes, saying: “We express our most sincere condolences to our friends and family, we are with you friends.”
Sporting organisation Engloba added: “There are no words in the face of such fatality, a happy kid and always an example on the soccer field. Much strength to everyone, and especially to the family. RIP.”