Football
Associated Press 9y

Junior Malanda funeral held in Brussels, over 1,000 attend

BRUSSELS, Belgium -- More than 1,000 mourners clogged Brussels' main basilica on Tuesday to pay their last respects to Belgium youth international and Wolfsburg midfielder Junior Malanda, who died in a car crash last week.

Among the funeral's attendees, many of whom wore Wolfsburg colours, were Belgium coach Marc Wilmots, Wolfsburg coach Dieter Hecking and manager Klaus Allofs.

Malanda was a back-seat passenger when the driver of the SUV he was travelling in lost control and the vehicle skidded off a slippery highway 10 days ago and overturned several times. Malanda, aged 20, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Former teammate Mbaye Leye said: "It is a tough day for all. We are here to support the family."

A statement from the German Football League (DFL) read: "In memory of Junior Malanda, a player for VfL Wolfsburg, who died in a tragic accident, DFL recommends holding a minute's silence at all stadiums prior to the kick-off at the matches marking the commencement of the second half of the Bundesliga season from 30 January until 1 February.

"In addition, DFL will leave it to all clubs to decide at their discretion whether players may wear black arm bands."

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