Germany call off Chile game

Friendly cancelled following the death of Enke

Last updated: 11th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Germany call off Chile game

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The German Football Association (DFB) has announced that the friendly with Chile on Saturday has been called off following the suicide of goalkeeper Robert Enke.

Enke, who had been suffering from depression, was struck by a regional train travelling between Norddeich and Hanover at a railway crossing in Neustadt am Rubenberge on Tuesday evening and died at the scene.

The 32-year-old Hannover keeper had only recently recovered a mysterious bacterial infection and had been omitted from the squad for their upcoming friendlies against Chile and the Ivory Coast next Wednesday.

Germany have now decided to call off the meeting with Chile as a mark of respect for Enke.

DFB president Dr Theo Zwanziger said in a statement on the official website: "We have all agreed that we cannot play the game on Saturday against Chile. We apologise for any inconvenience that this decision causes but there is no alternative."

Great person

Football continues to pay its respects to Enke, with Germany coach Joachim Low struggling to come to terms with the news.

Low said: "I am finding it hard to describe my feelings. I am totally shocked, totally empty. All my feelings go out to his wife and his family.

"Robert was not only an excellent player, but also a great person. We had wonderful discussions. He could listen and shows unbelievable respect to others.

"For him fairness was always an important part of life. His death is an immense loss. We will miss him, as a first class sportsman and an extraordinary man."

Hamburg captain David Jarolim added: "I can hardly breathe because I'm so upset. This is a real tragedy, I can hardly believe it."

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