Amateur footballer dies after collapsing during match in Seine-Maritime

Valéry Tia, a 42-year-old amateur footballer, died after collapsing during a match on Sunday in Saint-Vigor-d’Ymonville, in France’s Seine-Maritime region.

He was playing for the veterans’ team when he fell after heading the ball to a teammate.

People at the match began CPR before emergency services arrived, but they could not save him.

Tia had belonged to the Groupement Saint Aubin-Vigor club since 2017 and was a father of two.

The club described him as a loyal member of its family and paid tribute to his commitment.

The club has started a fundraiser for his family, including to help pay to return his body to his native Côte d’Ivoire.