Johan Hamel is considered the top referee of French football in recent years. Photo: Reuters.
On the afternoon of November 16 (Hanoi time), the French Association of Football Referees announced that Mr. Johan Hamel, the top referee in Ligue 1, had died at the age of 42. L’Equipe revealed Referee Hamel suffered a stroke during practice.
Mr. Hamel has been among the top referees in French football over the past half-decade, having participated in (managing or supervising) 136 Ligue 1 matches, including eight this season. Last weekend, Mr Hamel was VAR assistant in Paris Saint-Germain’s 5-0 win over Auxerre in the 15th round of Ligue 1.
Most recently, Mr. Hamel took the lead in the match between Lille and Rennes on November 6. In this season’s Champions League, the 42-year-old referee has just been a supervisor in Real Madrid’s 5-1 win over Celtic in the final series of the group stage.
The PSG homepage then released a message of condolences to the unfortunate referee: “Paris Saint-Germain sends its condolences and deep sympathies to Johan Hamel and the entire family of the French referee.”
Lyon club also wrote on the homepage: “We have just learned of the passing of Johan Hamel, it is with infinite sadness. Olympique Lyonnais would like to send our most sincere condolences to his family, loved ones as well as his family. like the whole world of French arbitration”.
Former France international, Florian Thauvin, wrote on his personal page that Mr Hamel was “a very good referee and a great person on and off the pitch”.
Hong An – Zing.vn | 16:54 11/16/2022
