Bernardo Ribeiro during his spell with A-League side Newcastle Jets // PA Images
Bernardo Ribeiro, a 26-year-old footballer formerly of Australian side Newcastle Jets, has died after playing a match in his native Brazil.An attacking midfielder who came through the youth set-ups at Flamengo and Catania, he played for KF Skënderbeu Korçë, IFK Mariehamn and the Jets before moving back to Brazil in the summer of 2015. It was there, after turning out for an amateur side, that he died on Saturday evening.O Globo reports that Ribeiro fainted during the game, before being rushed to a local hospital by ambulance. He died there at around 21:30 local time.Most recently contracted to lower-league side Friburguense, Ribeiro's death has been met with shock by club officials. A statement on their website reads: "Nova Friburgo sport is in mourning. Friburguense says goodbye to a great athlete and human being, loved by all the players, coaching staff, management and employees of the club."Though the exact cause of death is yet to be established, reports suggest Ribeiro died of a heart attack. He is the third footballer to have suffered fatal complications from suspected heart problems over the past few days.On Friday, Dinamo Bucharest midfielder Patrick Ekeng died in hospital after collapsing on the pitch during a Romanian league game against Viitorul Constanta. The Romanian Football Federation postponed all of the weekend's matches, while reportedly launching an investigation into Ekeng's death.On Sunday, Jeanine Christelle Djomnang collapsed during a warm-up ahead of the Femina Stars' match against Louves of Minproff in the Cameroonian women's league. The Cameroonian Football Federation have revealed that initial reports suggest Djomnang also died of a heart attack, though they are still awaiting a full medical report.
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