The death of a 15-year-old footballer from injuries sustained during a brawl that interrupted his match has shocked Paraguay, where authorities are investigating the causes and potential culprits.

The young player, identified as Ismael, was making his debut for the youth team of Club Nacional in San Bernardino on the day of his death. Reports indicate that he was attacked by members of the rival team, Boquerón FBC from Asunción, shortly before the final whistle.

Nacional and Boquerón FBC were competing in the U-15 championship of the Paraguayan Federation of Football Schools. Nacional’s coach, Leonardo Vit, told reporters that the young player fell into his arms "unconscious" after being kicked in the back.

Vit mentioned that while the boy was on the ground, he received "two or three more kicks from other people." "Our medics, along with those from Boquerón, really performed first aid; he was left without a pulse," Vit added, noting that Ismael had "little pulse." Ismael was later transported to San Pablo Maternal and Child Hospital in Asunción, and then to Trauma Hospital, where he passed away on Sunday.

The coach stated that the alleged aggressor was "a player from the Boquerón team." The deceased had just started training with the San Bernardino team the previous Monday and was playing his first match on Saturday. The Public Ministry reported that Prosecutor Rosa Noguera has opened an investigation into the suspected homicide to determine the circumstances of the young player's death.

Noguera has summoned a 14-year-old suspect, who reportedly presented himself to the authorities. Organizers of the tournament, the owner of the sports facility, team coaches, players, and their parents have also been called to testify.

The prosecution noted that initial reports suggest that when the altercation began, "the suspect, who was not participating in the match, entered the field and assaulted the victim," who then lost consciousness.