Ligue 1 club Stade de Reims doctor Bernard Gonzalez has reportedly took his own life after he was diagnosed with coronavirus.
The club’s statement did not confirm the circumstances surrounding Gonzalez’s death, instead paying tribute to the man.
However, Reims’ mayor, Arnaud Robinet suggested the Gonzalez who worked with the club for 23 years, had left a note.
“Gonzalez was great professional, recognized and appreciated by all,” Robinet said.
“My thoughts are with his parents, his wife and his family.
“He is a collateral victim of Covid-19, because it had been detected positive. I know he left a note to explain his gesture. But I ignore its content.”
He was in isolation at home with his wife when it happened.
The club posted a poetic tribute to the 60-year-old, as “a man of science and literature, with inexhaustible curiosity”.
Médecin. Artiste. Stadiste.
Docteur Gonzalez.
💔 pic.twitter.com/Wlw6Bbr7gc— Stade de Reims (@StadeDeReims) April 5, 2020
Reims’ president Jean-Pierre Caillot said the coronavirus pandemic has affected the club “in the heart” following the death of Gonzalez.
“Words fail me, I am stunned, prostrate before this news,” he said as stated in the official website.
“This pandemic affects Stade de Reims in the heart. This is a personality of Reims and a great professional of the sport who left us.
“His mission to the club of more than 20 years has been carried out with the utmost professionalism, in a passionate and even selfless manner.”
France has been one of the worst affected country by coronavirus with 8,078 deaths and 92,839 confirmed cases.