MarcJWallace

A GoFundMe has been launched for the former German Under-19 Women's international Irini Ioannidou (33) after she was diagnosed with ALS. https://www.waz.de/sport/lokalsport/essen/article407675805/essener-ex-fussballerin-33-an-als-erkrankt-spendenaufruf-gestartet.html A midfielder with FCR Duisburg and SGS Essen before retiring at FC Koln, she was at Duisburg when they won two DFB Pokals and the UEFA Women's Cup, now the UEFA Women's Champions League but was a bit part player.

Another awful tragedy in football tonight as the former Morocco international and Marseille midfielder Abdelaziz Barrada (35) has died suddenly from an apparent heart attack. Announcement from Ligue 1's Official Twitter account in English. https://x.com/Ligue1_ENG/status/1849528824599544307

Reports that George Baldock (31) has been found dead in his swimming pool at home days after playing for Panathinaikos, he joined them from Sheffield United in the summer. https://x.com/ChrisWheatley/status/1844110460238618906 Added more comprehensive story link (in Greek) https://x.com/gazzetta_gr/status/1844110177332764878?s=46

The Forum at the funeral:

Toussaint Natama, a Burkina Faso international whose career was tragically cut short by an accidental head injury suffered against former Celtic defender Bobo Balde in preparation for the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations which left him paralysed on his left side, has died at the age of 41. He played domestically for EF Ouagadougou before moving to Egyptian side Al-Ittihad Alexandria in 2000. Then he earned a move to Europe with Belgian side Westerlo a year later where he remained until his untimely retirement. Also, Franciszek Smuda, Poland manager at Euro 2012, has died aged 76.

Afa Anoa'i dead at 81. EDIT: Gun has been jumped, Meltzer reporting he is battling. https://x.com/davemeltzerWON/status/1824241478882971779

Comunardo Niccolai, a defender who played over 200 times for Cagliari, part of the Cagliari side that famously won Serie A in 1970 dead at 77.

Another hospital trip for Jim Ross with shortness of breath, the second such time in a few weeks. https://x.com/JRsBBQ/status/1805723392202404171

Could ultimately be nothing, but very out of nowhere for Conrad Thompson to be asking for prayers for Kevin Sullivan. https://x.com/HeyHeyItsConrad/status/1790533652327051297

Diane Ford's death announced on Twitter/X by Tim Allen.

Akebono, a sumo wrestler turned professional wrestler who memorably faced The Big Show in a sumo match at WrestleMania 21 in 2005, has died aged 54 according to Dave Meltzer.

Luke Fleurs, a 24-year-old central defender for South African side Kaizer Chiefs has shockingly been shot and killed in a car-jacking. Before joining the Chiefs, he had made 66 appearances and scored two goals for Supersport United. He also spent a season with Ubuntu Cape Town. He also had four caps for South Africa's Under-23 national team in 2021 and had been called up to the senior side that same year, but was ultimately never selected.

Lamin Bangura, a Sierra Leonean defender who played for his country at both the 1994 and 1996 Africa Cup of Nations has died in a bus crash aged 59. BBC. Six players from the side he was coaching (Ports Authority FC) were injured in the crash in Konta Line, as the team travelled from Freetown to Kenema for a league game.

FC Midtjylland midfielder Kristoffer Olsson (28), who made one appearance for Arsenal after coming through their academy system and has made 47 appearances for the Swedish men's national team since 2017 is on a ventilator in hospital after collapsing at home.

Charles Swini, a Malawian goalkeeper who played 13 times for the national team, including at the 2010 African Cup of Nations. This was their first appearance at the Afcon since 1984 and their third overall. He was 38 and had collapsed at home after suffering kidney problems. https://malawi24.com/2024/02/20/tributes-pour-in-for-former-malawi-goalkeeper-charles-swini/