A footballer whose former club faked his death in an apparent bid to avoid a match has said he learned of his demise from work colleagues.

Spanish native Fernando LaFuente said he had no role in the ruse attempted by the club in Dublin, Ballybrack FC.

The club has apologised for a "gross error of judgment" after falsely reporting that Mr LaFuente had died in a traffic accident on the way home from training last week. Ballybrack's game against Arklow Town on Saturday was postponed, while other teams in the Leinster Senior League held a minute's silence in honour of the amateur player.