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28-year-old former MLS player dies after falling from 11th floor balcony in China

28-year-old former MLS player dies after falling from 11th floor balcony in China

Yahoo17-04-2025
Former MLS and Gabon forward Aaron Boupendza has died aged 28 following a fall from the 11th floor of a building in China, local authorities confirmed.
The striker, who played for FC Cincinnati and Romanian club Rapid București, joined Chinese Super League side Zhejiang FC earlier this year.
The Hangzhou Public Security Bureau confirmed that officials responded to the player's rental residence after receiving reports from the public of someone falling from a building at 1:14 p.m. local time on Wednesday.
'Our bureau quickly organized police forces to deal with the situation, and immediately sent the injured to the hospital for treatment. The injured was later declared dead in the hospital,' the bureau said in a statement posted on its official Weibo page, confirming Boupendza's identity.
'After on-site investigation, visits and interviews of relevant parties by public security officers, and checking surveillance videos, it was found that he died after falling from the balcony of his rental residence, and a criminal case was ruled out,' the authorities confirmed.
Zhejiang FC said in a statement that it was 'fully cooperating with the relevant departments to carry out the investigation.'
'All the staff of the club express their deepest condolences to his family,' the club added.
FEGAFOOT paid homage to the striker in a statement posted on X on Wednesday: 'Aged 28, Boupendza will be remembered as a great striker, who left a lasting impression at the AFCON in Cameroon.
'FEGAFOOT and the entire Gabonese soccer community offer their sincere condolences to his family in this difficult time,' the statement concluded.
Interim Gabon president Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema said on X: 'It is with great sadness that I learned of the tragic passing of Aaron Boupendza, a talented center forward who brought honor to Gabonese football. I offer my sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. May God bless his soul.'
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Inter Miami owner on Messi's suspension: MLS rule is ‘draconian'
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Inter Miami owner on Messi's suspension: MLS rule is ‘draconian'

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Inter Miami owner Jorge Más on Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba suspensions: 'There's a rule in place, but it's a bad rule'
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Inter Miami owner Jorge Más on Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba suspensions: 'There's a rule in place, but it's a bad rule'

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MLS suspension of Messi and Alba is ‘draconian,' Inter Miami owner says
MLS suspension of Messi and Alba is ‘draconian,' Inter Miami owner says

Hamilton Spectator

timean hour ago

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MLS suspension of Messi and Alba is ‘draconian,' Inter Miami owner says

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — The owner of Inter Miami called Major League Soccer's suspension of Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for skipping the All-Star Game a 'draconian' punishment. 'They don't understand the decision,' owner Jorge Mas said Friday of the one-game suspensions. 'They don't understand why not attending an exhibition match leads directly to a suspension.' Messi and Alba did not suit up for the match between the MLS and Liga MX of Mexico despite being voted to the game. Messi did not play to rest amid a packed schedule and Alba was dealing with a previous injury. Mas said the club made the decision for Messi and Alba to sit out of the All-Star Game. Per MLS rules, any player who doesn't participate in the All-Star Game without prior approval from the league is ineligible to compete in their club's next match. The players will miss Miami's home match Saturday against FC Cincinnati, which sits atop the Eastern Conference standings. Both Messi and Alba practiced with the club on Friday in anticipation of playing in Saturday's match before MLS announced the suspension. 'I know Lionel Messi loves this league,' said MLS Commissioner Don Garber. 'I don't think there's a player — or anyone — who has done more for Major League Soccer than Messi. I fully understand, respect, and admire his commitment to Inter Miami, and I respect his decision. 'Unfortunately, we have a long-standing policy regarding participation in the All-Star Game, and we had to enforce it. It was a very difficult decision.' Garber added that the league will re-evaluate the policy and work with players to 'determine how the rule should evolve.' Mas said Inter Miami expressed its disagreement over the suspension and the rule. Mas also noted there were six MLS games Friday night less than 48 hours after an All-Star Game. 'That's not right,' Mas said. 'That's not right to the players.' ___ AP soccer:

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