Bayern Munich fan dies after medical emergency in stands during Champions League win over Benfica
A Bayern Munich fan tragically passed away after a medical emergency in the crowd during their Champions League win over Benfica.
The individual required medical assistance just three minutes into the match at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday evening.
They were taken away on a stretcher around 30 minutes later and passed away while being rushed to hospital.
Bayern fans in the part of the ground where the medical emergency took place – the Sudkurve – stopped singing for much of the match out of respect for the supporter.
A statement from the Bundesliga club read: “In the Champions League league phase match against Benfica, FC Bayern’s 1-0 victory was overshadowed by a sad event.
“A medical emergency in the stands of the Allianz Arena cast a shadow over the game right from the start.
“Out of consideration, the Sudkurve refrained from its usual vociferous support for their team, and the club also reduced its coverage of the match.
“Around an hour after the final whistle, the German record champions received the sad news that the fan had died on the way to hospital.
“FC Bayern is in mourning side by side with the fan’s relatives.”
Bayern won the game 1-0 thanks to a goal from Jamal Musiala.
After the match, Bayern manager Vincent Kompany spoke about the medical emergency.
He said: “It’s difficult to talk about football at the moment.
“After the game, we didn’t celebrate as much as we normally do. Of course, the boys only noticed it after the game.
“We always hope that our fans and all of them go home safe and sound. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case today.”
And forward Thomas Muller added: “We noticed it, how and wherefore. I think we saw right before kick-off what would have been possible in terms of atmosphere.
“The whole group in the south curve was jumping. But of course, when something like that happens, it’s also a nice sign of solidarity that the fans don’t put their own party first, but show a bit of humanity.”