Antwerp midfielder Eliot Matazo (22) was involved in a serious traffic accident with a cyclist on Saturday morning, his club announced on Saturday on X. The accident happened on the Bredabaan in Schoten, the Schoten police confirmed. The 85-year-old cyclist who was hit died of his injuries.
“This morning Eliot Matazo was involved in a serious traffic accident with a cyclist,” Antwerp football club announced on X on Saturday afternoon. “According to the first findings, the cyclist may have been blinded by the sun and drove through the red light. As is usual in these types of accidents, Eliot was given a saliva and alcohol test and both were negative. There are also no indications that there was excessive speed,” Antwerp said.
“Without wishing to prejudge the investigation into the accident, all elements, including the statements of witnesses, point to an unfortunate accident,” the club further states in the statement.
The accident occurred on the Bredabaan in Schoten, we were told by the local police. There they confirm the facts. “According to the initial findings, it is an unfortunate accident. The Bredabaan was closed for a while. There was no need for a traffic expert to come to the scene, given the circumstances.” The police received confirmation on Saturday evening that the victim (85) had died.
“Eliot is extremely affected by the events and neither the player nor the club will make any further statements until the investigation has been completed. Our thoughts go out to the cyclist and his family, and Eliot and the club hope for a good outcome,” the club statement continued.
Matazo was still in the starting eleven for the Great Old on Thursday during the lost cup final against Union. The midfielder, who is also captain of the Belgian national team, is rented from AS Monaco until the end of this season.