According to the police, the incident occurred before the start of the game on a sports field in the Bruck district of Erlangen. The child was taken to hospital in the afternoon, where he later died from his serious injuries.

The deceased child was a seven-year-old boy. The emergency medical intervention is said to have taken place around 2 p.m. on Saturday. According to the “Fränkische Zeitung”, the operation took place on a neighboring pitch while the footballers from FSV Erlangen-Bruck and SVG Steinachgrund warmed up.

Erlangen: Child killed by gate – police investigate

The state league game was canceled after the tragic accident. “An absolutely correct and understandable decision,” said Steinachgrund coach Thomas Guter to the “Fränkische Zeitung”.

According to the information, the criminal police have started the investigation and are investigating the exact cause of the accident. An expert should also work on the clarification at the request of the public prosecutor.

Youth games in the affected district league suspended

All junior games at district level in the Erlangen/Pegnitzgrund football district planned for Sunday were canceled as a result of the accident, according to a letter from the Bavarian Football Association to the affected clubs, which is available to the German Press Agency.

«We are all deeply shocked and stunned. We are at a loss for words,” writes the association. They want to let football rest. “The football family’s thoughts are with all those who have to understand what simply cannot be understood at this time.”