Jairzinho Pieter: Curacao goalkeeper dies after suffering heart attack at team hotel before match in

Curacao's back-up goalkeeper tragically died after suffering a heart attack before his country’s match with Haiti.

Haiti's sports minister, Edwing Charles, confirmed that Jairzinho Pieter died on Monday following a cardiac arrest in the Curacao team hotel.

He wrote on Twitter: “As Minister of Youth, Sports and Civic Action, I am at the Marriott Hotel to accompany the Haitian Football Federation in the case concerning the death of the player of the Curacao Selection, Jairzinho Pieter, victim of a heart attack.”

The match on Tuesday is still going ahead despite the unexpected death of the Curacao player with the squad said to be eager to play as a tribute to their late team-mate.

En tant que Ministre de la Jeunesse, des Sports et de l’Action Civique, je suis à l’Hotel Marriott pour accompagner la Fédération Haïtienne de Football dans le dossier concernant le décès du joueur de la Sélection de Curaçao, Jairzinho Pieter, victime d’une crise cardiaque. pic.twitter.com/D1Ezj9IIox

A statement from the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) said: “CONCACAF is deeply saddened by the passing of the Curacao National Team goalkeeper Jairzinho Pieter, who passed away at the age of 31.

“Jairzinho died on Monday morning in Port-au-Prince at the hotel in which the Curacao team are staying ahead of their CONCACAF Nations League match against Haiti.

“The thoughts and prayers of our CONCACAF family are with his loved ones, the Curacao Football Federation and his team at this difficult time.

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“The Confederation has been informed by the Curacao Football Federation that following consultation with the players, it has decided to play tomorrow’s match against Haiti in tribute to their team-mate.

“A moment of silence was conducted today in CONCACAF Nations League matches and will be held before kick-off tomorrow, as the entire Confederation pays its respect to Jairzinho for his contributions to the game.”

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