Stepan Chernov Dies After Collapsing During His Debut Match

Stepan Chernov had only just joined LFK Baltika Yekaterinburg when he collapsed during his first appearance for the Russian futsal side. The 21-year-old signed for the club roughly a day before the fixture against Akadem, according to the report. Chernov played for around 25 minutes in the first half and was substituted. During the second half, his legs suddenly gave way and he fell to the floor. The circumstances described in the account turned a sporting debut into a tragedy for his teammates and friends. The club paid tribute to Chernov, saying it had lost both a player and a close friend. In its statement, the team recalled his smile, genuine emotions and the connections he made on and off the pitch, while offering condolences to his family and everyone who knew him. A close friend told local media that Chernov was cheerful, kind and quick to help the people around him. The friend also spoke of his strong affection for football. A former colleague described him as honest, diligent and active in sport. The colleague said Chernov had been raised by his grandmother and older sister after being orphaned. Former colleagues were collecting financial support for his family, while a separate fundraiser was also set up to assist them. The club's farewell said Chernov would remain part of the team.