President of Colombian club Tigres shot dead after defeat

The president of Colombian side Tigres FC, who play in the country's second division, was shot dead after a defeat on Saturday, the club confirmed in a statement.

Edgar Paez Cortes, 63, was killed as he was returning to his home following a league match against Atletico FC.

Local media reported, as per Reuters, that Paez was killed by two men on a motorbike close to the stadium after the 3-2 defeat.

It has also been reported that his daughter was also in the car, and escaped unharmed. Authorities are now conducting investigations into the murder.

Tigres' club statement added: "The Tigres family and the sports community are devastated by this event.

"Edgar was a passionate defender of football and an exemplary leader. His commitment to the team and his dedication to the development of sport in our region left an indelible mark on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.

"We appreciate the respect of the media and the community in this difficult time. The authorities will be in charge of the relevant investigations."

Meanwhile, Fernando Jaramillo, the president of the Major Division of Colombian Professional Football, stated (quotes via ESPN): "He was always distinguished by his respect for his friends, by his strong but respectful positions and by the love he professed for the sport that we are all passionate about: football."

Clubs across Colombian football will hold a minute's silence as a mark of respect for Paez over the next two rounds of matches.

Paez had held the role of president at Tigres since 2017, having previously held shares in fellow Colombian club Independiente Santa Fe. He also once worked for the Administrative Department of Security, a Colombian state agency.