BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- A 21-year-old player in Argentina has died after fracturing his skull more than a week ago in a fourth-division match.
Emanuel Ortega was playing for San Martin de Burzaco in a match on May 3 when he was pushed by an opponent and struck his head on a concrete pillar used to anchor a fence.
The death was announced Thursday by the Argentine Football Association, which said it would cancel all fourth-division matches this weekend as a tribute to Ortega.
AFA President Luis Segura says "this is the least we can do," adding the death produced "much sadness and consternation" in the Argentine game.