Teenage German footballer, 15, dies after a fight with an opponent

A teenage footballer in Germany has died following a fight with an opponent.

Reports claim the horrifying incident happened at an international youth football tournament in Frankfurt on Sunday.

The victim - who was just 15 and played for German side JFC Berlin - reportedly clashed with a player from the youth team of French outfit Metz after the game.

A statement from German police said: 'After a fight on Sunday… a 15-year-old boy died in hospital of serious brain injuries. In order to clarify the circumstances an autopsy will be performed in the coming days.'

German outlet NW News reported a fight broke out between the teams after the game, with a Metz player allegedly hitting the victim 'on the head and the neck' which led to a severe brain injury.

Meanwhile, AFP added that the 15-year-old was then kept alive on life-support machines so that his organs could be donated, before passing away.

The individual that struck the fatal blow is reportedly 16 and being kept in pre-trial detention as German police continue their investigations. 

His club - whose senior team play in Ligue 2 - released a statement that read: 'FC Metz learned with shock of the drama that took place in Frankfurt during a friendly U17-U19 football tournament in which two FC Metz Performance Program teams participated.

'At the end of a match which had taken place in good spirits, an incomprehensible scuffle took place and a young German player was hospitalised in serious condition, without the causes of this being able to be determined until today.

'At present, the German justice is in charge of the case and is investigating to shed light on these tragic facts.

'A young player from FC Metz Performance Program is currently with the German authorities and denies having deliberately damaged the physical appearance of the injured young player.

'FC Metz Performance Program, as well as all the players and parents present, are obviously at the disposal of the German authorities to help advance the investigation.

'The whole of FC Metz is deeply shocked by this tragedy and sends its most sincere support to the young player, his family and his loved ones.'

Several tributes were paid to the JFC Berlin youngster including from politician Iris Spranger, who serves in the Berlin state government.

She said: 'The fact a young man's life was taken after a football game stunned me and left me speechless.

'I wish his relatives, friends and the team infinite strength in this darkest hour.'

Meanwhile, Berlin FA president Bernd Schultz added: 'Our thoughts and sympathies go out to all the relatives and team members of the player concerned in these difficult hours.'