A 23-year-old goalkeeper has died after a horror collision with an opposition player during a competitive match in Russia.
Alexander Shishmarev was in action for Krasnaya Zvezda against Baltika-M's youth side in a training match when he received a blow around the neck from an opponent who flew into him at speed. His "tongue rolled backward" and he suffocated as a result of the collision.
The Russian national team announced the tragic news on Twitter: "Today, during a training match 'Baltika-M - Krasnaya Zvezda', the team's goalkeeper from Sovetsk, Alexander Shishmarev, was fatally injured.
"The doctors of the club and the ambulance provided assistance for more than an hour, but they could not save their lives. We sincerely condole with family and friends."
Alexander Garvidis, head of Kaliningrad's football federation, added: "It's a terrible tragedy for all of us. Shishmarev went out for the ball and collided with a 'Baltika' player, as a result of which he fell.
"According to preliminary data, his tongue fell backward, he suffocated. It was definitely not a head injury.
"An ambulance arrived at the field within 15-25 minutes after the call. Condolences to the family and friends of the player. A terrible thing happened today."
Baltika's head of press Sergey Kandalov also spoke out about the tragedy and confirmed the Russian Football National League would support Shismarev's family financially.
He told Sport-Express: "Alexander received a blow around the neck from an opponent who flew into him at speed.
"The match was attended by our doctors, some of the best in the region.
"They quickly entered the field but couldn’t do anything. The ambulance doctors tried to help for an hour, but unfortunately, he died in the ambulance."
Shishmarev leaves behind a girlfriend of four years, his sister Ana told RB Sport.
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