Teenage footballer dies after fight at international youth tournament

He sustained injuries during a brawl after a game between JFC Berlin and Metz

The pitch where the brawl allegedly broke out after the final whistle. AFP

A German footballer has died after being injured in a fight at an international tournament.

The 15-year-old, a player for JFC Berlin, died on Wednesday from “severe brain injuries” sustained in the fight with players from Metz.

The German football federation will hold a weekend of mourning for the player, and observe a minute's silence at an under-17s competition.

The fight broke out after full time in a game at the tournament in Frankfurt on Sunday. A 16-year-old player from the French second division team is currently in custody.

Federation president Bernd Neuendorf said: “This incredibly sad and shocking act at a soccer tournament for juniors leaves us speechless.

“It is the ultimate challenge to all of us to take a firm stand against violence – in soccer and in society as a whole.”

German and French teams contesting the Under-17 European Championship final in Budapest will line up together behind a banner condemning violence.

There will be a minute’s silence for the victim and both teams will wear black armbands, the federation said.

“Following the tragedy that occurred this weekend in Frankfurt, FC Metz has learnt through the media of the death of the young opposing player today,” Metz said.

“The whole of FC Metz is deeply shocked by this tragedy and sends its most sincere condolences to the family and loved ones of the young player.”

The statement added that all players and parents present are “at the disposal of the German authorities to help with the investigation”.

Metz confirmed that a player from its “Performance Programme”, which gives “young footballers … from all over the world access to a high-level training structure”, was being held by German authorities.

The player “denies having deliberately caused serious bodily harm”, the club said.

Police are looking at the “detailed sequence of events” that led to the JFC Berlin player's injuries.

The footballer was seemingly hit “on the head or neck” before he “fell to the floor and had to be resuscitated”, police said on Tuesday.

The teenager was kept on life support so his organs could be donated, a spokeswoman for the Frankfurt prosecutor's office said.