Footballer Youssou Diouf dies after making his debut for a new club

Tragedy on debut

Footballer dies after collapsing on the pitch

Dramatic scenes occur in the middle of a game in Senegal’s second division. A professional collapses after the final whistle – he is dead a short time later.

Youssou Diouf died on Sunday. The AS Saloum striker collapsed after making his debut in a second division game in Senegal and received immediate medical attention. Nevertheless, any support came too late for the 25-year-old.

The match between Saloum and Amitié FC ended 0-0. According to a report from Wiwsport, the incident occurred shortly after the final whistle. Diouf only came on in the 80th minute in his first appearance for the club. After the end of the game, the attacker felt unwell and was treated on the pitch. He reportedly died at the scene.

The Senegalese Football League (LSFP) reacted “with deep sadness” to Diouf’s death in a statement and confirmed that the footballer felt unwell after the final whistle. “Despite the rapid intervention of the medical services present at the stadium and his admission to the regional hospital in Thies, he unfortunately died,” it continued.

Given the “painful circumstances, the President of the LSFP and all members of the Board express their deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, the club management and the players of AS Saloum, as well as the entire Senegalese football family.”

Numerous football fans and other clubs also expressed their condolences on social networks. AS Génération Foot, home club of former Bundesliga professionals Sadio Mané and Papiss Demba Cissé, shared a picture of Diuouf on Instagram and wrote: “May God give him his infinite grace and open the gates to heaven for him.”