Football Mourns Two Icons: Brest Manager Eric Roy and Ukrainian Star Vyacheslav Sharpar Pass Away

Two Major Losses Strike the Football World

According to Главком: The global football community is grieving the loss of two prominent figures. Eric Roy, head coach of French club Brest, has died at age 58 after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer. Appointed in January 2023, Roy led Brest to a remarkable third-place finish in Ligue 1 during the 2023/24 season-a historic achievement that secured the club’s first-ever qualification for European competition, specifically the UEFA Champions League. In the 2024/25 Champions League, Brest faced Shakhtar Donetsk, but the Ukrainian side emerged victorious with a 2-0 win.

As a player, Eric Roy represented several notable clubs, including:

• Nice
• Toulon
• Lyon
• Marseille
• Troyes
• Sunderland
• Rayo Vallecano

His playing career highlights include reaching the UEFA Cup final with Marseille in the 1998/99 season.

Remembering Vyacheslav Sharpar

Additionally, Ukrainian footballer Vyacheslav Sharpar has passed away. Known for his stints with Vorskla, Volyn, and Metalist, Sharpar notably scored against Arsenal in a 2018/19 Europa League match while playing for Vorskla. With Metalist, he earned a bronze medal in the Ukrainian Premier League in 2011. He also played for:

• Hoverla
• Kyiv Arsenal
• Kazakh club Atyrau
• Sheriff

His achievements include winning the Latvian championship with FK Riga. Sharpar earned two caps for Ukraine’s U-21 national team. He retired from professional football in 2021 after a final stint with Volyn.

These two losses have deeply affected the football community, leaving a lasting imprint on fans worldwide.

The deaths of Eric Roy and Vyacheslav Sharpar are heavy blows to the football communities in France and Ukraine. Their contributions-whether as a coach or as a player-will be remembered by generations of supporters and colleagues alike.

The recent passing of Vyacheslav Sharpar has not only impacted the football community but also highlights the ongoing challenges faced by athletes in Ukraine. For a deeper understanding of the tragic losses affecting Ukrainian sports, including the recent death of floorball player Orlov due to the conflict, you can read more about these events here.