Domenech stunned by sudden death of French player Di Tommaso
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-11-30 10:54

France coach Raymond Domenech was among those who were left saddened by the death of FC Utrecht defender David Di Tommaso, who died suddenly in his sleep.

FC Utrecht's French defender David Di Tommaso, seen here in 2002, died suddenly in his sleep Tuesday morning after going to bed feeling ill. [AFP]

The 26-year-old Frenchman, who formerly played for Monaco and Sedan in the French league before moving to the Netherlands last year, did not wake up Tuesday morning after going to bed early having complained of feeling ill.

"I can't say how much this news has affected me," said Domenech, a coach of the big defender when he won seven caps for the France under-21 team and was part of the squad that reached the 2002 European championships Under-21 final.

"David was a charming and happy lad who contributed as much to the team on the field as he did off it."

FC Utrecht quickly moved to dispel any suggestions of foul play in a statement released on Tuesday.

"David Di Tommaso died suddenly at his home in De Meern (central Netherlands) in the early hours of Tuesday. The circumstances surrounding his death are at this moment unknown.

"What we do know for sure is that it was not caused by doping."

An autopsy is still to be carried out on the player, who leaves behind a wife and a child.

The club's doctor said Di Tommaso went to bed early.

"He thought he had eaten too much," said the doctor, Frank van Hellemondt.

Di Tommaso last played for the team in their 1-0 win over Ajax. He was said to be looking fit and took part in the team training on Monday, the club confirmed.

A hugely popular player at the Dutch side, who are currently sixth in the league, Di Tommaso was voted their player of the year last season.

On Tuesday, Utrecht was besieged by fans delivering flowers and leaving tributes.

The team's next league encounter, against Willem II on Saturday, has been postponed.

Di Tommaso's death follows those of Cameroon's Marc-Vivien Foe (June 2003) and Hungarian Miklos Feher (January 2004), though both of them died suddenly on the field of play.