The spokesperson for the YEL has spoken of the organisation's 'devastation' after young player Samuel Akwasi died of a heart attack during a game on Saturday morning. Witnesses said the young footballer, who was playing for his club FC Cavaliers under-13s, collapsed during a game against WBCY FC Rossoneri on Saturday (May 7) at around midday.
The game, that had been taking place on one of the grass pitches at the Forest Recreation Ground, was abandoned. Thirteen-year-old Samuel was reportedly taken to the Queen's Medical Centre where he later died. YEL CEO Rob Harwood has now issued a statement about Samuel's tragic death.
Read more: 'Loss to Nottingham' as footballer Samuel Akwasi dies after collapsing on the pitch
His statement read: "We are devastated over the tragic events that unfolded on Saturday morning during a YEL U13 game between FC Cavaliers and West Bridgford Rossoneri U13. A young Cavaliers player, Samuel Akwasi, collapsed on the pitch after suffering a Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Despite the best efforts of those present and the quick application of a defibrillator along with the speedy response of the emergency services, Samuel sadly passed away in the Queens Medical Centre.
"The league is one of the biggest youth leagues in the country with over 15,000 registered Under 7 to Under 14 children representing over 1200 teams that play the game they love every weekend across the East Midlands. The last thing any of us as parents, coaches or league officials would ever think about is someone not coming home.
"The outpouring of love and sadness to this tragedy on our YEL Facebook has been immense with over 2,000 reactions, many from parents and teams who can’t begin to understand or start to put into words the grief they feel for Samuel’s family, friends and FC Cavaliers – an inner city club which has a genuine community feel to it.
"On behalf of the YEL and our football community, all of our hearts and prayers go out to his family and friends as well as FC Cavaliers at this awful time. The club will be issuing a statement in due course but in the meantime we would ask that the privacy of the family and the club is respected during this devastating and heart-breaking time. "
