Deibert Frans Roman Guzman became the first South American footballer to die because of COVID-19, after suffering for weeks in hospital.<\/p>\n
The 25-year-old Bolivian played for Universitario del Beni in Bolivian league.<\/p>\n
The death comes after his father Belizario Roman and his uncle Luis Carmelo Roman died because of the virus.<\/p>\n
They were all from Beni, one of the most affected states in Bolivia by the COVID-19 after recorded over 1,200 cases and 77 deaths.<\/p>\n
President of the Bolivian Football Federation, Angel Suarez pays tribute to Guzman, who is a former Bolivia youth international.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Bolivian Football Federation expresses its heartfelt condolences to the friend and family of Deibert Roman Guzman, and we ask God for strength in these hard moments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis illness has taken recognised sportspeople. It is regrettable to give this type of information.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an association, we are dismayed at what is happening in the country and in the world from a virus that has taken many lives. Coronavirus is hitting Beni. We ask people to follow the Government\u2019s orders.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"