Jean-Pierre Adams — the former France, Nice and Paris Saint-Germain defender who spent 39 years in a coma — has died, aged 73.
Adams was injured in a match and required knee surgery in 1982, but he was administered a near-fatal dose of anaesthetic ahead of the operation, which caused brain damage.
Cared for by his wife, Bernadette, Adams has been lying in a coma ever since at his home in the southern French city of Nîmes, where his professional football career started in 1970.
He played for Nîmes Olympique until 1973, moving to Nice and playing there until 1977, before joining French giants Paris Saint-Germain (1977-79).
In a tribute, PSG called him one of the club's "glorious elders".
Adams also played 22 internationals for France, from 1972 to 1976.
French Football Federation president Noël Le Graët said Adams "remained present in our memories in such a special and sad way since his dramatic accident".
"Jean-Pierre Adams was an example by his life course and his career as a respected and feared player, whether with his successive clubs Nîmes, Nice and PSG in the French championship or in the French team," Le Graët said in a statement.
"He formed a duo of legendary defenders with Marius Trésor which all fans of the Blues and football remember.
"We think of his wife, his family and all his relatives to whom we send our deep friendship and our most sincere condolences."
Reuters/ABC
