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A Wales supporter has sadly died while visiting Qatar to watch Gareth Bales’ team in the 2022 World Cup.
Grandfather Kevin Davies, 62, from Pembrokeshire, was in Doha with his son and friends as part of the Red Wall when he fell ill.
Mr Davies had planned to watch Wales play Iran on Friday at Ahmed bin Ali Stadium but after feeling unwell decided to give the game a miss.
Upon return to their hotel room his son, Gerallt Dafydd, found him unconscious. After calling an ambulance he was rushed to the Hamad General Hospital where he sadly died.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office has confirmed it is ‘supporting the family of a British man who has died in Qatar’.
The Welsh Fan Embassy tweeted on Saturday: ‘Unfortunately we have lost one of the Red Wall yesterday in Qatar, our sincere condolences go out to his son here in Doha and his family back in Wales. May he rest in place’.
Mr Davies is believed to have recently recovered from cancer before making the 3,300-mile trip to Doha with his son.
Grandfather Keith Davies had travelled to Qatar with son to watch Wales play in the World Cup. He was supposed to watch Wales play Iran yesterday at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium but ended up not going after feeling unwell. Later that day he died at the Hamad General Hospital
Mr Davies was from the village of Boncath in Pembrokeshire. Before retirement he worked at Pembrokeshire Council and continued to be a local councillor within his community. He leaves behind his wife Catrin, son Gerallt and daughter Einir
He had left his village of Boncath with his family and friends ten days ago to cheer on Wales play in the World Cup for the first time since 1958.
One person from his village told The Sun: ‘Everyone is in shock – Kevin was a lovely man and very respected in the community and beyond.
‘He was being treated for a type of cancer, but he was well and looking forward to going to the World Cup.
‘He was devoted to his family; everyone is feeling for them after he died so far away from home.’
Mr Davies was a hugely popular figure within his local community of Boncath and Crymych. He had spent many years as Lifelong Learning manager of the Preseli Community Education Centre in Crymych, according to the South Wales Argus.
He stepped down from this role in January 2020.
Wales lost their second match to Iran on Friday in front of a large contingent of home fans
According to eyewitnesses, an ambulance was called and paramedics treated Mr Davies, but were unable to save him.
After retirement, the Grandfather continued to have an active role within his community. He had been living in the village with his wife Catrin and had travelled to Qatar with his son Gerallt. His wife is being supported by their daughter Einir Dafydd.
His son is now making arrangements to have his body flown back to Wales.
Des Davis, who took over Mr Davies role at the council following his retirement told the Argus: ‘The shock at Kevin’s death is coming from all directions in the community.
‘He was such a popular person, very busy and always gave 100 per cent to everything he did.
‘Kevin was a keen supporter of Wales. He went to every game in the Euros and he was so looking forward to going to the World Cup.’
The majority of his friends and family who had travelled to the World Cup with him will be returning as planned today, however, one person will stay on to continue necessary arrangements.
Football Supporters Association Cymru’s Paul Corkrey said: ‘He was part of the Red Wall and we’re all devastated for him and his family.
‘We’re all like one big family and we lost one of our family members today.’
Mr Corkrey also paid tribute to Mr Davies’s son and friends, saying they had been very ‘brave’ in the way they had handled the situation.
The British Embassy, Qatari authorities and the Football Association of Wales (FAW), as well as travel company Wonky Sheep, are said to be helping the man’s son to make all the necessary preparations and fly home.
Noel Mooney, chief executive of the FAW, wrote on Twitter: ‘So sorry to hear that one of our supporters has passed away here.’
He added: ‘Our condolences go to the family and of course we are here to support however we can.’
FA Wales said in a statement: ‘Our deepest condolences from everyone at the Football Association of Wales.
‘Our thoughts are with Kevin’s family and friends at this sad time. The FAW is in contact with Kevin’s family to help in whatever way we can.’
Around 2,500 Wales fans have made the trip to Doha for this year’s tournament.
Fellow Welsh fans responded to the news from the Fan Embassy with shock and sadness.
One social media user wrote: ‘This really does put things into perspective. RIP. Thinking of his family and friends.’
The Free Lions, a fan organisation offering advice and emergency support to England’s fan base, added: ‘We are devastated to hear this. Our thoughts go out to the family and friends.’
This story is being updated.
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