Uruguayan football, once again in mourning: the player Emiliano Cabrera was found dead

There is no consolation in Uruguay after meeting another tragic death in the world of football. In the last hours, the young man Emiliano Cabrera, who was active in the leagues in the interior of the country, took his life at the age of 27, according to different local media reports. This case, which sadly adds to the recent suicides of Santiago Nose Garcia and of Williams Martinez, puts the magnifying glass back on the importance of addressing mental health issues in sport.

Cabrera was born in the town of Santa Rosa, in Canelones, and worked as a left back. The beginning of his career had been in Boston River, in the Uruguayan second division, and then had a step through Youth of Las Piedras. According to the newspaper Ovation, also tried his luck in Spanish soccer. At this time he was working in the domestic leagues. His body was found dead last Thursday.

“The Youth Athletic Club deeply regrets the death of the former player of our house, Emiliano Cabrera. Our condolences to family and friends, ”wrote the entity that the young left-back was able to represent for a while. In the same sense, the Uruguayan Mutual of Professional Footballers (MUFP): “The MUFP is mourning the death of Emiliano Cabrera. Our condolences to family and friends ”.

The Mutual message received a response from Fifpro, the international union of professional footballers based in the Netherlands. “Our condolences to all Uruguayan football, the family and friends of Emiliano Cabrera in this difficult and painful time,” were his words.

The Cabrera case generated great commotion because Uruguayan soccer has been mobilized in recent months by other suicides in young athletes. The most resounding was that of Santiago Nose Garcia, who played for Godoy Cruz Mendoza in Argentina and took his own life on February 6 in his apartment. Just a week ago the death of Williams Martínez, Villa Teresa footballer from the Second Division of Uruguayan soccer, who had some dates off the campus because he had tested positive for COVID-19.

Suicide is a high-impact issue in Uruguay, a country of 3.4 million inhabitants that in 2020 had this as the leading cause of death in people between 15 and 24 years old. Uruguay registered 718 suicides in 2020, which keeps it at a rate of 20.3 per 100,000 inhabitants, according to data reported by international agencies.

In the United States, there is the National Suicide Prevention Network to ask for help, you can call 1-888-628-9454 or 1-800-273-8255, the National Suicide Prevention Service line, to speak with someone who will provide you free and confidential support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. CDC also recommends its own prevention policies, programs, and practices.

In Mexico, the National System of Support, Psychological Council and Crisis Intervention by Telephone (SAPTEL) offers telephone assistance 24 hours a day at the number: 0155 5259-8121. In the United States, you can dial + 1-888-628-9454.

While at the Buenos Aires Suicide Assistance Center they attend to anyone in crisis on the free lines 135 from Buenos Aires and GBA or at (54-11) 5275-1135 24 hours a day. You can also call the Suicide Family Attention Center (CAFS): Tel. (011) 4758-2554 (cafs_ar@yahoo.com.ar – www.familiardesuicida.com.ar).

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