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Fans plan match-day tribute after Welsh supporter dies

By Bill Gardner and Tom Morgan in Doha, Qatar

WALES and England fans are planning a joint tribute to a supporter who died in Qatar during a trip to the World Cup.

Wales fan Kevin Davies, 62, made the 3,300-mile journey with his 38-year-old son and friends but fell ill in Doha.

Mr Davies, understood to be from Pembrokeshire, is reported to have been rushed to Hamad General Hospital following Wales’ match against Iran, where he later died.

It is understood to have been a medical incident and that he did not attend the 2-0 defeat but instead remained at his apartment after feeling ill.

Around 5,000 Red Wall fans attended the game on Friday. Family and friends of Mr Davies are being helped by fans group Football Supporters’ Association Cymru as well as UK government officials in Doha.

Wales supporters are in discussions with England fans about organising a potential tribute in the stands at Tuesday’s deciding group game between the nations.

Football Supporters Association Cymru’s Paul Corkrey said: “He was part of the Red Wall and we’re all devastated for him and his family.

“We’re all like one big family and we lost one of our family members today.”

Mr Corkrey also paid tribute to Mr Davies’s son and friends, saying they had been very “brave” in the way they had handled the situation.

The British Embassy, Qatari authorities and the Football Association of Wales (FAW), as well as the travel company Wonky Sheep, are said to be helping the man’s son to make all the necessary preparations and fly home.

“Everyone has been very helpful, and everyone who has been asked for help has come through,” Mr Corkrey added.

The Wales Football Supporters’ Association’s fan embassy wrote on Twitter: “Unfortunately we have lost one of the Red Wall yesterday in Qatar.

“Our sincere condolences go out to his son here in Doha and his family back in Wales. May he rest in peace.”

Officials believe more than 2,500 Wales supporters have made the trip to Qatar for the tournament.

Noel Mooney, chief executive of the FAW, wrote on Twitter: “So sorry to hear that one of our supporters has passed away here.”

He added: “Our condolences go to the family and, of course, we are here to support however we can.”

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesman said: “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in Qatar.”

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2022-11-27T08:00:00.0000000Z

2022-11-27T08:00:00.0000000Z

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