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4th-division player in Argentina dies after skull fracture

BEUNOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) -- A 21-year-old professional soccer player in Argentina has died after fracturing his skull more than a week ago in a fourth-division match.

Emanuel Ortega was playing for San Martin de Burzaco in a match on May 3 when he was pushed by an opponent and struck his head on a concrete pillar used to anchor a fence.

The death was announced Thursday by the Argentine Football Association, which said it would cancel all fourth-division matches this weekend as a tribute to Ortega.

AFA President Luis Segura says ''this is the least we can do,'' adding the death produced ''much sadness and consternation'' in the Argentine game.