Players watched helplessly on Friday as a referee handling their match in Sao Carlos, Brazil, collapsed and died in what is said to be a heart attack.
The Futsal referee, Isildo Fabiano Bianchi da Silva, collapsed during a match between Sao Carlos and Taubate in Sao Carlos, Brazil.
He was 44 years old.
“In the video, the referee is seen bending over with his hands on his knees before falling to the ground. Players from both teams rushed to his side and some even took off their tops and tried to fan him,” a report said.
Efforts to revive him by the medical team proved abortive, with officials saying,: “All the CPR procedures were carried out but Idildo could not be revived and died.
“The LPF deeply regrets the death of referee Isildo Fabiano Bianchi da Silva, 44, who unfortunately died on Friday night.”
The match, which was 0-0 as of the time of the incident, had to be abandoned.
