Ligue 1 referee Johan Hamel dies after suffering stroke

Ligue 1 referee Johan Hamel has died during a training session at the age of 42. The reason for his death was a stroke while he was doing exercise. 

The referee took charge of his final game in charge in France on 6th November when Lille faced Rennes. He worked as a VAR for PSG's match with Auxerre last Sunday on matchday 15 of the Ligue 1 season. 

Hamel refereed more than 200 professional matches in French football. In these two decades, 135 matches were in Ligue 1 while the other 85 were in the second tier. 

"Refereeing is in morning. We've found out about the passing of our friend Johan Hamel, a Ligue 1 referee, at the age of 42. The SAFE and referees send their most sincere condolences to his family and friends," the Elite Referees Union (SAFE) said in a statement on social media.