Last Thursday, Ballybrack FC, an amateur soccer team of Ireland, reported that Fernando Nuno La Fuente, a former player, had died. Come to find out, it was all a lie.

The team had a game scheduled for Saturday. However, early Friday morning, they sent out reports that La Fuente had died in a car crash Thursday night but did not have the death certificate.

Immediately, Ballybrack FC postponed their game. Other teams in the Leinster Senior Football League, the league in which Ballybrack FC plays in, held moments of silence prior to the start of their games. The whole league was deeply saddened over the loss of La Fuente.

Just a few days later, league officials inquired about sending support to La Fuente’s family in Spain. They were then notified that he had just flown back to Spain on Saturday.

That automatically rang bells. They went to several hospitals in the area asking for any reports but there was nothing. It was then exposed that La Fuente’s death was all a lie.

The Ballybrack FC sent out apologies for the “gross error of judgement” that took place.

“The league would like to appeal to the media and the general public to respect the privacy of the former club volunteer involved in the incident, who made an error that they have privately apologised for,” continued the statement.

David Moran, chairmen of the league, also put out a statement about the situation to all the leagues and teams that had held moments of silence.

He stated, “We are all taken aback by this event and hope to try to work with all the relevant organizations and agencies to learn from this mistake.”

Meanwhile, La Fuente has been a good sport throughout all the reports. His main concern through it all was making sure that his family in Spain did panic.

In an interview with ESPN he said, “Thankfully, the news didn’t travel fast and as soon as I put the phone down I called my mother and my wife in Spain and told them of the situation and that I was well.”

La Fuente has shown no interest in pressing charges or acting in any way against the team.

“I’ve taken it in stride. At the end of the day no one was hurt and no damage was done.”

A mellow comment for a pretty chaotic situation.