Ligue 1 referee Johan Hamel has tragically passed away, the French refereeing association have confirmed. The 42-year-old was one of French football’s top referees.
The French referee passed away after suffering from a stroke.
Hamel, a Ligue 1 and Champions League official, was just 42. He took charge of his final match on November 6, as Lille drew with Rennes, while he was also on duty for Real Madrid’s thrashing of Celtic at the Santiago Bernabeu on November 2. He had also been the VAR for PSG’s win over Auxerre at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.
Hamel had been one of France’s elite referees since 2016, taking charge of 135 Ligue 1 matches and 85 Ligue 2 games. He had over 300 professional games under his belt, but suffered a stroke during routine training exercises on Tuesday evening, the Union of Elite Football Referees (SAFE) announced on Wednesday.
A statement from SAFE read: “Arbitration is in mourning. We learn of the death of our Colleague and Friend, Johan Hamel, Ligue 1 referee, at the age of 42.
“To his Family, Relatives and Friends, the SAFE and the Arbitrators send their deepest condolences. Johan, we will miss you.”
French champions PSG led the numerous clubs who paid tribute to Hamel, writing on social media: “Paris Saint-Germain sends all its thoughts to the family and loved ones of Johan Hamel, as well as to all French refereeing.”
Hamel was one of France’s most experienced officials.
