FOOTBALL HAS BEEN HIT by another tragedy as Brazilian Bernardo Ribeiro passed away yesterday after suffering a heart attack during a match in his native country.

Ribeiro, who played at Australia’s Newcastle Jets and also enjoyed spells in Albania, Italy and Finland, was playing in an amateur match in Minas Gerais state when he collapsed.

The 26-year-old, who represented Friburgense in this year’s Rio State Championship, was rushed to hospital but medics failed to revive him and he was pronounced dead on arrival.

“The Nova Friburgo sporting community is in mourning,” his club said in a press statement.

“Friburgense Athletic Club says farewell to a great athlete and human being, loved by every single player, member of the technical staff, director and club official.

Our deepest sympathies to the Frizao family and all the family of Bernardo Ribeiro.”

Newcastle Jets and Michael Bridges, who played alongside Ribeiro in Australia, also paid tribute to the late footballer.

The tragedy comes just days after Cameroon international Patrick Ekeng died during a match with Romanian side Dinamo Bucharest on Friday.

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