Irish football team fake death of player to cancel match after ‘claiming one of their players died in car crash’
A PROBE has been launched after claims an Irish team said a player died in a car crash.
Ballybrack FC is under investigation by the Leinster Senior League after they it emerged that the team misinformed them about the death of a player.
The Dublin-based team had told the league that a player was killed in a traffic accident on his way home from training last Thursday night.
There is no suggestion that the player had any idea the club was saying that he had died.
In a post on the club’s page, which has since been removed, Ballybrack revealed the tragic loss of their star player.
The post read: "Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and team mates at this time. Rest in peace.”
As a result, the Leinster Senior League issued a notification of the player’s death in a national newspaper and expressed their condolences.
However, after the league contacted the club about sending a rep to the player’s funeral and offering financial assistance to the family, Ballybrack said the player hadn't passed away.
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In a statement released by Leinster Senior League, chairman Dave Moran said: “The Leinster Senior League will co-operate with all relevant agencies in the investigation of this matter and the league will also deal with this issue through their own internal disciplinary procedures. The Leinster Senior League would like to offer their sincerest apologies for any distress caused as a result of notifying clubs as to the demise of a valued player.
“The league acted in absolute good faith with the information supplied by the club and only had the welfare and interest of those affected by the reported ‘tragedy’ as our uppermost concern at all times.”
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The Irish Sun attempted to contact the club however they have yet to comment on the matter.
Following reports of the death, a number of teams throughout the league posted heartfelt messages of condolence.
Liffey Wanderers FC held a one minute silence before one of their games after hearing of the supposed tragedy.
A social media post from the club reads: “Both teams observing a minute silence in memory of Ballybrack player.. who was killed in a traffic accident on his way home from training on Thursday night."