French footballer dies after being in coma for 39 years following anaesthesia issue
Former France defender Jean-Pierre Adams has died at the age of 73, almost 40 years after falling into a coma following a medical error, his former clubs, Paris Saint-Germain and Nimes, said on Monday.
In 1982, Adams was administered a near-fatal dose of anaesthetic ahead of a routine knee operation, which caused brain damage.
"PSG has lost one of its glorious former players. PSG offers its condolences to his family and loved ones," the Ligue 1 club said in a statement.
The Dakar-born Adams had won 22 caps for Les Bleus in the 1970s.
He played for Nimes from 1970-73 and for PSG from 1977-79 after joining from Nice.
"This morning, we learned about the death of Jean-Pierre Adams. He played for Nimes on 84 occasions and alongside Marius Tresor, he formed the "Black guard" in the French national team," the club wrote on Twitter.
"The club offers its most sincere condolences to his loved ones and family."
Since the accident, Adams has been cared for by his wife, Bernadette.
He was pronounced dead this morning at Nimes University Hospital.
Adams made 22 appearances for the French national team between 1972 and 1976.
The centre-back played most of his club football for Nice, where he made 126 appearances, scoring 15 goals.
He also featured for Nimes, PSG, Mulhouse and Chalon. Adams was born in Dakar, Senegal, but moved to France at the age of 10.
He originally started out as a striker, but after joining Nimes his talents were better recognised in defence.
Adams and his wife Bernadette had two sons together, Laurent and Frederic.
He had just made the move into coaching with Dijon when he decided to get his knee looked at Lyon Hospital.
In a seven-year battle in the courts, the doctors at the hospital were found guilty of involuntary injury.
