5 footballers who were brutally murdered

Football is the most popular game in the world. Like cricket is treated as more than a sport in India, most countries do the same with football.Sometimes the passion for the game brings out the worst in the fans. Emotions turn into violence and the game suffers as a result. Such behaviour is completely uncalled for and despite the high stakes, the fact remains that football is just a game.Players are often recipients of abuse. But there are have been a few instances when the abuse became physical, and ultimately led to death. In a tragic incident which unfolded in the tiny Central American nation of El Salvador on Sunday, former national football player Alfredo Pacheco has been shot dead, and this wasn’t the first time. Here are five footballers who were murdered.

#5 Senzo Meyiwa

Senzo Meyiwa’s career had seen a meteoric rise since breaking into the South African national team last year. He had not only claimed the No 1 spot but was even made captain in September.

But on 26th October 2014, less than 24 hours after playing for the Orlando Pirates in their 4-1 win over Ajax Cape Town, he was shot dead. Reports say that Meyiwa was attempting to protect his girlfriend during a robbery at her home near Johannesburg. He was rushed to the hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.

The shot-stopper had been in incredible form for both club and country. He led the Orlando Pirates to last season's African Champions League final and had captained the Bafana Bafana in their last four matches of the AFCON qualifiers without conceding a goal.

The South African police have arrested two people in connection with the murder that has left the footballing world in a state of shock.