A Bayern Munich fan has died following a medical emergency during Wednesday’s Champions League tie against Benfica.
The Bundesliga club confirmed on Thursday morning the fan had died on the way to hospital.
Bayern supporters in the Sudkurve — the south stand in the Allianz Arena where the club’s ultras are situated — were largely muted throughout the game, and stopped chanting while the fan was being treated. One Bayern ultra used his microphone to alert other supporters in the Sudkurve about what was happening.
Bayern supporters’ group Club Nr. 12 explained in a post on Instagram its members would “not be supporting as usual today because of an emergency medical intervention. Life comes before sport. We wish the family and friends lots of strength.”
A Bayern statement read: “FC Bayern’s 1-0 win over Benfica in the league phase of the Champions League on Wednesday night was overshadowed by sad news as a medical emergency in the crowd at the Allianz Arena cast a shadow over the game from the start. Out of respect, the Sudkurve refrained from their usual vocal support of the team, and the club also reduced its coverage of the match.
“Around an hour after the game ended, the club received the sad news that the fan had passed away en route to the hospital. FC Bayern is in mourning alongside their relatives.”
“We didn’t know of it (the medical emergency) during the game, just after it,” Bayern midfielder Konrad Laimer told the Associated Press at full time. “We wish the family strength and best wishes, we’re thinking of all involved, and we’re hoping for the best for the individual fan.”
Bayern beat Benfica 1-0 following Jamal Musiala’s 67th-minute goal.
(Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
