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Rugby star dies after collapsing during match as club issue heartbreaking statement

A rugby league player has tragically died after collapsing on the pitch during a match, with his death reportedly due to a head injury he suffered moments before

[Medical staff attend to Esteban Cesar Racca]

Medical staff were unable to save Argentine Esteben Cesar Racca (Image: Monumental AM 1080)

A tragic incident has rocked the rugby world after an Argentine player died following a collapse during a match in Paraguay, reportedly after receiving a head injury moments before.

Esteben Cesar Racca was playing for Old King Club against Jabalies Rugby Club in the Paraguayan Rugby Union's Metropolitan Pre-Intermediate Tournament when the devastating event unfolded. The 41-year-old is believed to have collapsed during a scrum, stumbling before hitting the ground as medical staff and fellow players immediately rushed to assist him.

Despite desperate efforts from those at the scene to save him, he sadly passed away, leaving his club and the wider Paraguayan rugby fraternity heartbroken.

Old King Club issued a statement saying: "It is with profound sorrow that we bid farewell to our teammate Esteban Racca. Today, rugby reminds us of the fragility of life.

"Your dedication, your passion, and your friendship will remain forever in our memories and in the history of this club. We stand with his family, friends, and the entire rugby community in this sad moment. Rest in peace, brother."

The Paraguayan Rugby Union also paid tribute, stating: "Our deepest sorrow at the passing of player Esteban Racca. At this difficult time, we express our sincere condolences to his family, loved ones, teammates, and the entire rugby community. We have been working closely with the relevant authorities since the incident."

A post-mortem examination has revealed that rugby player Racca died from head trauma. Forensic examiner Pablo Lemir confirmed that the player is believed to have suffered a blow to the head between five and ten minutes before he collapsed on the pitch.

Prosecutor Jorge Escobar told Monumental AM 1080: "He collapsed during a scrum. [He] came out of that formation, took two steps, and fell.

"Coroner Lourdes Saucedo thought it was appropriate to take the body to the morgue for an autopsy, and the result was very consistent with what she had been assuming. We now have the result that he died of closed head trauma.

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"But it didn't happen immediately; what they suspect is that it could have happened between five and 10 minutes before he fell."

Escobar further explained: "It was an official match, and the match was 29 minutes into the game. The field is leased by the Paraguayan Rugby Union to the Olympic Committee. Therefore, the entire organisation falls under the responsibility of the Paraguayan Rugby Union."

The public prosecutor added that based on images and recordings from the match, "no rough or forceful physical contact is seen" at that moment that Racca collapsed.

"We already have approximately 30 minutes of video footage," he said. "We're going to be looking into any collision the player may have had with his opposing teammate. So, we're working on that."

Both clubs have now been requested to provide full recordings of the match to ascertain if any unsporting behaviour took place that could be linked to Racca's death.

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