FC Bayern: Dead fan was a former national coach in Luxembourg

FC Bayern’s Champions League game against Benfica (1-0) on Wednesday was overshadowed by a tragic death. Just a few minutes after kick-off there was an emergency medical intervention in the south curve of the Allianz Arena – a fan had collapsed in the stands with a heart attack. The Munich supporters then stopped their support and it was unusually quiet in the arena throughout the game.

The fan was resuscitated for half an hour and then transported to the Munich Heart Center, twelve kilometers from the stadium. However, he died on the way to the clinic. About an hour after the final whistle, FC Bayern announced his death: “FC Bayern is at the side of the relatives in mourning.” The identity of the deceased is now known.

He is Romain Jean, the former coach of the Luxembourg women’s national football team. Jean was 66 years old. From 2003 to 2012 he coached the women’s national team – from 2006 the women’s team played official international matches. Jean also worked as a coach for some men’s teams. According to the Luxembourg portal “L’essentiel”, he most recently worked at the Luxembourg City Electricity Company.

The Luxembourg Football Association FLF expressed its condolences to Jean’s relatives. His former club Sporting Bettembourg recognized his contribution to the club’s promotion to the first division in 2014.

The Bayern players were informed of the emergency during half-time. Despite the important victory in the Champions League, there was a subdued atmosphere around the game, both among the fans and the players. “We noticed that it was quiet in the corner,” said Joshua Kimmich after the final whistle, and Manuel Neuer said: “We weren’t really cheering in the dressing room either. We feel for the fan.” Bayern sports director Max Eberl praised the fans’ reaction: “There are definitely more important things in life than football. The stadium also showed this respect.”