TheCable

Argentine football player Franco Nieto, 33, has died after being struck in the head following a match on Saturday.

Nieti, the captain of Argentinian third-tier club Tiro Federal, died on Wednesday from injuries suffered when he was attacked by rival Chacarita Juniors fans in post-match violence.

He was attacked by a group “including a player from the opposing team, an assistant coach and a hooligan,” after a heated encounter, according to regional police chief Fabian Bordon.

In a shocking turn of events, the rivalry between the two teams from Aimogasta in northwest Argentina seemingly escalated as the melee on the pitch—that had seen the game called off with Tiro Federal leading 3-1—turned devastating post-match.

The match was abandoned 15 minutes from time after eight players had been sent off by the referee.

Nieto was rushed to hospital in the wake of the attack but has subsequently died from the injuries inflicted upon him despite surgery.