Kocaelispor Technical Vice President and businessman Ekrem Can (48) went to Nigeria last November 23, together with Club President Engin Koyun, to follow the tournament and discover young players. Can, who returned to Turkey after staying for a while, then went to Bandırma district of Balıkesir to watch the Bandırmaspor-Kocaelispor match that took place on December 9. Can, who fell ill on the evening of the match, was treated in a private hospital when he came to Kocaeli. After his condition worsened, Can was referred to a private hospital in Gebze district, where he was diagnosed with malaria. Despite all the interventions made in Gebze, Can lost his life. It was learned that the funeral of Can, who is married and the father of two children, will be held following the afternoon prayer in Karamürsel district. It was learned that Can caught the disease in Nigeria.
In the written statement made on Kocaelispor’s social media account, “Our Technical Vice President Ekrem Can, who has been under treatment for a while, passed away in the morning. My condolences to our community and his fans. We will not forget you, Ekrem Can.”