THE Republic of Ireland football fan who died ahead of his team's game with Denmark has been named as David Clerkin.
The body of Mr Clerkin (30), from Drogheda, Co Louth, was recovered from Copenhagen Harbour in the Havnegade area of the city on Sunday morning.
Local police received reports of a “lifeless man in the water” at around 10.30am.
Divers from the Copenhagen Fire Department rushed to the scene and retrieved a body from the water.
Mr Clerkin was brought to a nearby hospital but was pronounced dead.
An avid Drogheda United fan, the dead man is understood to have followed his national team on a number of overseas fixtures, including Euro 2016.
A minute’s silence was held ahead of last night's match against Denmark in Aarhus, while the Republic's players sported black armbands as a tribute to the deceased.
A spokesman for the Football Association of Ireland said they were "deeply saddened" by Mr Clerkin's death.
“The FAI has expressed its condolences to the family of the supporter, who passed away in Copenhagen, ahead of the UEFA Nations League game between Denmark and Ireland," the spokesman said.
The Republic's sports minister Shane Ross said the death “puts sport into perspective.”
"It is terribly sad news to hear of the tragic death of an Irish football supporter in Copenhagen this weekend," Mr Ross said.
"My thoughts are with the man’s family at this dreadful time. Ireland’s football fans have always represented the country so well on their travels and the last thing anyone ever wants to receive is terrible news of something awful like this."
