FORMER Ivory Coast rugby star Max Brito has died at the age of 54, 27 years after being paralysed in a World Cup match.
The ex-winger was paralysed from the neck down after being injured in the third minute of Ivory Coast’s pool game against Tonga in South Africa on June 3, 1995.
Max Brito suffered a serious injury at the 1995 World CupRex
Times Newspapers LtdBrito spent the final 27 years of his life paralysed from the neck down[/caption]
It was just the third World Cup match of his career following games against Scotland and France in the same tournament.
A statement from World Rugby read: “World Rugby is saddened to learn of the death of former Ivory Coast international Max Brito.
“Our sincere thoughts and condolences, together with those of the global rugby fraternity, are with his family, friends, ex-team-mates and colleagues.
“Brito was born on April 8, 1968, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast and was five years old when he and his family moved to Biscarrosse in France.
“He was playing as a winger for the Biscarrosse Olympique club when he was selected to represent Ivory Coast at Rugby World Cup 1995 in South Africa.
“Sadly he suffered a life-changing injury during their third pool match with Tonga.
“Marcel Martin, Bernard Lapasset and the Federation Francaise de Rugby among many others have worked hard to ensure support for Brito since 1995, and he has been an important presence at Rugby World Cups since.
“Brito stayed involved in the sport he loved and his legacy and passion for rugby will continue through the Max Brito Academy, which was set up by the Federation Ivoirienne de Rugby to train and inspire youngsters to play rugby in the Ivory Coast.”
Brito’s family also released a statement which was published on the Biscarrosse Olympique website.
It read: “The Brito family, their children Mike and Anthony, are saddened to inform you of the death of Max Brito, which occurred on Monday, December 19, at 6:30pm.
“Max was accompanied with dignity and without suffering on his last journey.
“The family deeply thanks the Biscarrosse Olympique club, which has always been present throughout these years, as well as all the people who, from near or far, have always shown their affection and support.”