Borussia Dortmund players join fans in singing You'll Never Walk Alone after supporter dies during match

The 80-year-old fan was sitting in the south-west stand of the Westfalenstadion when he suffered the fatal heart-attack while another also fell ill and is being treated at hospital

Dortmund supporters and players sing You'll Never Walk Alone (Getty)

Borussia Dortmund players and supporters united in unison, singing You’ll Never Walk Alone, after a supporter died of a heart-attack during their Bundesliga victory against Mainz on Sunday.

The 80-year-old fan was sitting in the south-west stand of the Westfalenstadion when he suffered the fatal heart-attack. News of his death quickly spread throughout the stadium and the home contingent, famed for creating a ferocious atmosphere, fell silent.

Another fan is reported to be in a stable condition in hospital after also falling ill with a heart-condition during the same match.

Shinji Kagawa, the former Manchester United midfielder, capped off a 2-0 win for the hosts in the 73rd minute, after Marco Reus had opened the scoring, but the Japanese international refused to celebrate.

Reus said afterwards: “On the pitch, we had no idea what was going on and were initially irritated by the silence.

“But, straight after the game, our coach Thomas Tuchel came to us and explained what had happened. It obviously put a shadow over the game and compliment to the fans for the way they behaved.”

The players joined their supporters in a rendition of You’ll Never Walk Alone at full-time as the seriousness of the situation became apparent. Dortmund president Reinhard Rauball has since passed on his condolences to the families of both families.

“In the name of Borussia Dortmund, I wish to express my heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the families of those affected. Our thoughts are with them.

Watch: Dortmund players and fans pay tribute

.@BVB fans and players pay tribute to a fan who sadly passed away during their match against @Mainz05en. https://t.co/j4IEXLGN8w

— BT Sport Football (@btsportfootball) March 13, 2016

“We were informed pretty quickly in the stands of what had happened from that moment on, the game fell right into the background. I could no longer concentrate on it.

“The fans’ reaction was spontaneous. I've never experienced anything like it. I can only pay a huge compliment to all of the fans for the way in which they expressed their sorrow and respect in this way, in a unified manner.

“I take my hat off to the Mainz fans who, without exception, joined us in mourning and stopped supporting their team. The scarves held in the air when You'll Never Walk Alone was sung has my utmost respect.

“It shows how deeply rooted honour and respect of each other exists and can be expressed in such a short period of time, and I can only take my hat off to that.”

Mainz boss Martin Schimdt added: “Naturally our thoughts are with the relatives after such tragic events, and we wish to offer our deepest condolences.

“I found it inspiring how 80,000 fans fell quiet as a mark of respect in just a few minutes. Such solidarity is impressive, everyone in the stadium came together as a unit. That is, sadly, not always the case.”