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Spanish police say they believe Liverpool FC player Diogo Jota was driving over the speed limit when he and his brother were killed in a car crash last week.
Spain’s Civil Guard said on Tuesday that while their investigation into the cause of the crash last Thursday continues, they believe Jota was driving too fast when the Lamborghini veered off course after a tyre burst.
Previously, the police had not stated whether Jota or his brother, André Silva, was driving.
On Tuesday they said that it appeared Jota had been behind the wheel.
The siblings died in the car when it burst into flames on an isolated section of the A-52 highway in the early hours of 3 July.
Portuguese media reported Jota was heading to the northern Spanish city of Santander to take a ferry to England where he would re-join Liverpool after being advised not to fly following a recent lung procedure.
Their funeral was held in Portugal on Saturday.
Jota’s death was met with a wave of tributes from the world of football.
“The Portuguese Football Federation and the entire Portuguese football community are completely devastated by the deaths of Diogo Jota and André Silva, this morning in Spain,” the Portuguese FA said in a statement on Thursday.
“We have lost two champions. The passing of Diogo and André Silva represents irreparable losses for Portuguese Football, and we will do everything to honour their legacy daily.”
Jota’s brother, André Silva, was also a footballer who played for Liga Portugal 2 side Penafiel.
Jota’s club, Liverpool FC, also stated on Thursday, saying they were “devastated by the tragic passing.”
“Liverpool FC will be making no further comment at this time and request the privacy of Diogo and Andre’s family, friends, teammates and club staff is respected as they try to come to terms with an unimaginable loss.”
FC Porto, where he spent a year on loan during the 2016-17 season, also expressed its condolences following the news of Jota’s passing.
“Porto Football Club is in mourning,” the club said in a post on X. “It is with shock and deep regret that we send our most sincere condolences to the family and friends of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva, who was also our athlete in the youth categories.”
Jota married his long-time partner Rute Cardoso less than two weeks before the crash on 22 June. The couple had three children.
Additional sources • AP
