Soccer tragedy: Cameroonian player stoned to death in Algeria

There was tragedy in the soccer world on Saturday when Cameroonian and Algeria’s JS Kabylie FC striker, Albert Ebosse, died after being hit on the head by a stone thrown by spectators during a game in Algeria.

Ebosse had scored for his side before being pelted following a 2-1 lead to USM Alger. He died on the way to the hospital.

JS Kabylie captain Ali Rial said the player died in his arms as he accompanied him to the hospital in the ambulance.

Goal.com quoted him as saying: “I’m depressed, it’s real drama and I do not know if I’ll get over it. He died in my arms; I still cannot believe we have lost him forever. He was a good man, God rest his soul.”

The Algerian Minister of Interior and Local Government, Tayeb Belaiz, has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Ebosse was the leading scorer in the Algerian league in the 2013-14 season, with 17 goals.
A special meeting of the Algerian league has been scheduled for Monday morning and the stadium has been closed until further notice.

Condemning the attack, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), Issa Hayatou, said:“My thoughts go out to the family and friends of this young man who enjoyed his job peacefully and went further to pursue his passion for football abroad”.

He added: “African football cannot be the breeding ground for hooliganism whatsoever. We expect exemplary sanctions to be taken against this grave act of violence.”