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Family of England fan Rob Spray who died in Sofia 'broken' | Family of England fan Rob Spray who died in Sofia 'broken' |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The sister of a football fan who died in Bulgaria ahead of England's Euro 2020 qualifier says the family has been left "absolutely broken". | The sister of a football fan who died in Bulgaria ahead of England's Euro 2020 qualifier says the family has been left "absolutely broken". |
Rob Spray, 32, was found in Sofia city centre in what authorities said was a "helpless condition" on Monday morning. | Rob Spray, 32, was found in Sofia city centre in what authorities said was a "helpless condition" on Monday morning. |
Mr Spray, of Heath Hayes, Staffordshire, was taken to hospital but later died there. The cause of his death has not been established. | |
His sister Katie Brown said on Facebook the family did not know what happened. | His sister Katie Brown said on Facebook the family did not know what happened. |
On Monday, a spokesperson for Bulgaria's Ministry of Interior said police were working to "clarify all the circumstances in the incident". | On Monday, a spokesperson for Bulgaria's Ministry of Interior said police were working to "clarify all the circumstances in the incident". |
She said Mr Spray "suddenly began to act aggressively, raging and threatening" after he was taken to hospital at about 10:00 local time (08:00 BST). | She said Mr Spray "suddenly began to act aggressively, raging and threatening" after he was taken to hospital at about 10:00 local time (08:00 BST). |
Ms Brown said the suggestion her brother was aggressive was inaccurate, describing him as "the politest person you've ever met". | |
"He was a gentle giant," she said. | |
"He always said he was a lover not a fighter." | |
'Nicest, softest lad' | |
She said the family had received "no support" from the Foreign Office or Bulgarian authorities. | |
"They're not helping us at all," Ms Brown said. | |
"We want to go out and see what's happened but we need someone to help us." | |
Friends have so far raised more than £10,000 to "bring him back" and for his family. | |
The GoFundMe page describes West Bromwich fan Mr Spray as "the nicest, softest lad". | |
The Foreign Office confirmed it was supporting his family and that it was in touch with Bulgarian authorities. | |
Another British man suffered a minor injury in a separate incident in Sofia, it added. | |
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