Footie tournament’s first death as Northern Ireland supporter, 24, falls 26ft off a promenade
Darren Rodgers fell following his side’s game with Poland on Sunday
THE football fan who became the first fatality of Euro 2016 has today been named as Darren Rodgers.
The Northern Ireland supporter died in hospital in the southern French city of Nice after falling 26ft off a beachside promenade.
The 25-year-old, from Ballymena, fell in the early hours of this morning.
Darren – who was with staying with a group of friends at a nearby campsite - was on his own at the time.
Stewart McDonald spent several hours with him ahead of Sunday's game and said Darren’s family have been left “devastated” by his death.
He said: “His death has touched absolutely every fan. It is just so sad and so tragic.
“Darren, like everybody else, was in really great form and was looking forward to the game.
"It is 30 years since we have qualified for a major tournament - Darren wasn't even born then - and he had been looking forward to the trip for months."
Today it was confirmed Northern Ireland players will wear black armbands in memory of Darren, who was from the same hometown as boss Michael O'Neill and captain Steve Davis.
Fans are expected to pay tribute with a minute's applause during Thursday's clash against Ukraine.
Midfielder Steven Davis said: "So sad to wake up to the tragic news that a Northern Ireland fan has died in Nice, thoughts with family and friends."
A French police spokesman said: “Many fans were out on the promenade, and were drinking heavily when the man fell from the promenade. The victim was taken to Nice hospital but has since died.”
Cops claimed the Northern Ireland fan attempted to walk along the top of a promenade barrier.
A spokesman added: "There was very little space at the top, and the man lost his balance.
"He fell on his head, and suffered severe injuries."
Tributes have been paid to the football fan with one friend, Gemma Gilmore, writing on Facebook: “Woke up to some sad news this morning and still in shock! Can't believe this happened to such a nice fella.”
Chloe Lamont added: “Such sad news. My heart goes out to dar dar's family and everyone who loved him. Taken far too soon for someone who loved life so much.”
Following Darren’s death Patrick Nelson, chief executive of the Irish Football Association, said: "On behalf of the board, management, players and staff of the IFA, I would like to express my deep sadness at the tragic death of a Northern Ireland supporter in Nice in the early hours of this morning.
"The thoughts of everyone at the Association are with his family and friends at this time."
Fans of Northern Ireland were drawn into the fighting after local Nice youths hurled bottles at the supporters in bars and restaurants around Place Massena, and in streets nearby.
French riot police moved in as the football violence spread and it was nearby that the tragic supporter fell on to the beach, suffering serious injuries.
A British police officer travelling with the Northern Ireland fans said: "About twenty to thirty Nice youths started throwing bottles at the Northern Ireland fans.
"Some bottles were thrown back, some punches were thrown. French police arrived to contain the situation."
Around seven other Northern Irelands fans - at their first major tournament in 30 years - were also hurt in the fighting.
There were around 10,000 Northern Ireland fans in the city ahead of their first game against Poland.
Darren's death follows terrifying scenes inside the Marseilles’ Velodrome stadium on Saturday night when Russian thugs attacked England fans.
Battles in the streets of Marseille ahead of their countries' opening match left two England supporters in a critical condition in hospital.
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France’s Interior Minister, Bernard Cazeneuve, has called for a booze ban in all host cities on match days and the day before in a bid to help stem the violence.
Mr Cazeneuve said: "It is absolutely necessary that the national federations whose supporters create incidents of this nature be punished for what happened inside the stadium, and also outside."
Uefa has already threatened to disqualify both England and Russia if the violence continues.
They said: “We urge both the Football Association and the Russian Football Union to appeal to their supporters to behave in a responsible and respectful manner.”
On Saturday night truncheon-wielding Russian fans wearing gum-shields and balaclavas left 19 British people in hospital
It was reported that Three Lions fans ‘ran for their lives’ after being outnumbered by Russian hooligans.
Supporters left the French port city in droves following four days of harrowing violence.
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