Russian goalkeeper Alexnader Shishmarev, 23, has died after a collision with an opponent during a competitive game

In what will come across as a really shocking development, a Russian goalkeeper who was aged 23 has died after a sickening collision with a rival player during a competitive match.

Alexander Shishmarev of Russian fourth-tier side Krasnaya Zvezda was playing against second-tier Baltika-M’s youth side in a . game at north-west city Kaliningrad.

And the player from Sovetsk, who worked in the Emergencies Ministry, suffered a “fatal” collision with an opposition player.

The Russian national team released a statement on Twitter which read: “Today, during a training match ‘Baltika-M – Krasnaya Zvezda’, the team’s goalkeeper from Sovetsk, Alexander Shishmarev, was fatally injured.

“The doctors of the club and the ambulance provided assistance for more than an hour, but they could not save their lives.

“We sincerely condole with family and friends.”

Alexander Garvidis, head of Kaliningrad’s football federation, said: “It’s a terrible tragedy for all of us.

“Shishmarev went out for the ball and collided with a ‘Baltika’ player, as a result of which he fell.

“According to preliminary data, his tongue fell backwards, he suffocated. It was definitely not a head injury.

“An ambulance arrived at the field within 15-25 minutes after the call. Condolences to the family and friends of the player. A terrible thing happened today.”

While Baltika’s head of press Sergey Kandalov said there was a state of “shock” at the incident, with the Russian Football National League side vowing to help Shismarev’s family financially.

He said to Sport-Express : “Alexander received a blow around the neck from an opponent who flew into him at speed.

“The match was attended by our doctors, some of the best in the region.

“They quickly entered the field but couldn’t do anything. The ambulance doctors tried to help for an hour, but unfortunately he died in the ambulance.”

And tributes flooded in across social media when the news was announced.

(Daily Star UK)