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Former goalkeeper for the Girondins de Bordeaux and Belgium, the man who was nicknamed “le Gil” could have died drowned…
Emblematic goalkeeper of Standard de Liège (from 1981 to 1996 then during the 1997-1998 season), Gilbert Bodart is known in France for having played for the Girondins de Bordeaux during the 1996-1997 financial year. The former goalkeeper, now aged 61, also has twelve caps with the Red Devils.
Monday evening, the Belgian wanted to end his life by jumping into the Meuse. According to the local press, he threw himself from the Pont de l’Europe, located in the town of Huy, in the Walloon region. “I am at the end, my last hours. I can’t take this shitty life anymore. I was robbed of 115,000 euros, I’m breaking down. Thank you to justice for having my death on your conscience”, he warned on Facebook earlier in the day.
Delicate post-football
“Here is my last photo as a souvenir for you”, Bodart also wrote to accompany a selfie. The former footballer still managed to get out of the water safely, thanks to the rope that the firefighters threw him. He was then taken to hospital.
Post-football was complicated to manage for the former Bordeaux player. In 2008, he was placed under arrest warrant and imprisoned in connection with counterfeit currency trafficking. He was also arrested following his complicity in a robbery that occurred during the same year. Four years later, he was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for complicity in the latter affair.
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Manu Tournoux is a passionate and knowledgeable football enthusiast with a special focus on French football. Born and raised in France, Manu discovered his love for the beautiful game at a young age and developed a deep understanding of the ins and outs of "Le Championnat." His French roots and extensive experience in football journalism have made him an invaluable asset to the French Football Weekly team. As an author for the website, Manu's expertise includes not only in-depth analysis of Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 matches but also insightful profiles of up-and-coming talents, detailed transfer news, and engaging coverage of the French national team. His captivating writing style and undeniable passion for the game have earned him a loyal following among our readers. When he's not crafting engaging articles for French Football Weekly, Manu enjoys attending live matches whenever he can, exploring football culture in various French cities, and engaging in spirited debates with fellow fans. Feel free to follow Manu on Twitter and interact with him as he shares his expert opinions, insights, and love for French football.