In action at PSG on Sunday: French top referee dies during training

The French first division referee Johan Hamel died at the age of 42.

In action at PSG on Sunday: French top referee dies during training

The French first division referee Johan Hamel died at the age of 42. Apparently he suffered a stroke during training. The French league and its referees sent to Qatar mourn. Referee luminary Collina also reports.

Well-known French soccer referee Johan Hamel has died at the age of 42. The referee association SAFE announced his death. According to "L'Équipe" and "Midi Libre", the referee apparently suffered a stroke during training.

Hamel officiated 136 Ligue 1 games and 250 professional games overall. His very first appearance in the elite division was on March 6, 2011 in the Marseille-Lille game, but at that time he was mainly officiating in the National, the third division of French football.

He returned to Ligue 1 in the 2015-2016 season. He completed his last assignment on November 6 at the Lille-Rennes game, last weekend he was in action as a video assistant referee (VAR) at Paris St. Germain-Auxerre.

Since his death was announced, many clubs and officials in French football have paid their respects. "His sudden passing is a terrible shock (...). On behalf of all professional football, I offer my condolences to Johan's family and loved ones," said Vincent Labrune, president of the Ligue de football professionnel (LFP), according to one press release.

"The refereeing world and all officials at the World Cup in Qatar are united in mourning at the unexpected death of our colleague and friend Johan Hamel," said FIFA referee boss Pierluigi Collina. "We send our heartfelt condolences to Johan's family, relatives and friends ."

In Qatar, where they are preparing for the World Cup, the six French referees nominated for the tournament commemorated their "friend". "This morning we learned of the death of Johan Hamel. Johan was more than just a referee, he was our friend. Our thoughts are first and foremost with his family and his daughter," said a statement that Clément Turpin, one the referee, read aloud. "The six of us will be with you in our thoughts throughout the competition. Rest in peace, Johan."