Irish soccer team apologizes for lying about player’s death

An amateur Irish football team has been left embarrassed by the fiasco, but a Spanish soccer player can’t help but see the funny side of his Lazarus-like return from the grave.

Ballybrack FC’s game against Arklow Town was postponed on Saturday after a club official announced the death of Spanish player Fernando Nuno La-Fuente in a traffic accident. Moments of silence were also held before other matches in the Leinster Senior League.

The official’s scam was a ruse to get Saturday’s game postponed, but La-Fuente was later confirmed to be alive.

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“It has come to the attention of both the club, senior players and the management team that a gross error of judgment has occurred emanating from correspondence sent from a member of the senior set-up management team to the Leinster Senior League,” a statement from Dublin-based Ballybrack said on Tuesday.

“As of this evening an emergency meeting was held and the person in question has been relieved of all footballing duties, within Ballybrack FC, its senior team and roles within the club itself. The club has contacted Fernando to confirm his whereabouts, wellbeing and are thankful for his acceptance of our apology on this matter.

“This grave and unacceptable mistake was completely out of character and was made by a person who has been experiencing severe personal difficulties unbeknownst to any other members of the club. The club will continue to provide a duty of care to all parties and offer the support that may be needed at this time.”

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