A Croatian footballer booked for diving had actually dropped dead of a heart attack.

Goran Tunjic, a 32-year-old defender playing for the Mladost FC, collapsed in the 35th minute of the County League match against Hrvatski Sokola, prompting the referee to approach the player with yellow card in his hand.

Tragically, however, the player had suffered a fatal heart attack.

The official quickly realised what had happened and called for medical aid, but Tunjic died despite being rushed to a nearby hospital.

"Doctors tried to help him but there was nothing they could do," a club spokesman said of the player, who had no previous medical problems.

"He just fell dead on the spot."

I can't believe a referee would do that!

Such a tragic story...RIP

So thousands of people witnessed his death? :/

Yes. And to add insult to injury they didn't realise he was genuine.

On topic: That's very sad whenever someone that young dies

Off topic: I'm glad the ref had the balls to book someone for diving though. 99% of the time people get away with diving in sports.

Not the refs fault. Somebody falls over when being tackled you think its diving, you don't think 'oh he might just have had a heart attack'.

Sad story though.

Have seen barely any heart attacks or divings to tell whether the ref should notice a difference o_O But on the whole isn't it very unlikely for an athlete with no prior medical problems (of the sort) getting a heart attack?