Shakhtar Donetsk to Pay out Maicon's Contract After Brazilian Dies in Car Crash

Shakhtar Donetsk will pay out Maicon Pereira de Oliveira's contract in full to his family, after the Brazilian striker was tragically killed in a car accident on Saturday.

Shakhtar's CEO, Sergie Palkin, was asked whether the club would help support Maicon's family at a fan question-and-answer session on Friday. 

Here's the answer he gave, as per Shakhtar's official website:

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The contract with Maicon was valid through mid-2015. From a legal point of view, in such situations it expires. But Maicon has had a 7-year-old daughter and quite elderly parents left. Therefore, the president of the club decided to hand his family the amount stipulated by the contract, in full, to support his family at this difficult time.

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The 25-year-old Maicon was out on loan with Ukrainian Premier League side Illichivets at the time of his death, and he had scored three goals in 10 appearances for them this season.

As per the BBC, he was killed in a car crash in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk on Saturday.

This is the statement released by Shakhtar in the wake of the tragedy (full transcript on the official website):

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He was a talented footballer, open and friendly guy. Maicon loved life and knew how to make it positive and bright. Tragic, untimely and absurd death took away a wonderful person from our ranks. Maicon was only 25 years old.

It is a terrible bereavement for each of us. FC Shakhtar expresses condolences and sympathy to Maicon’s family and friends. May he rest in peace.

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Maicon was born in Rio in 1988 and made his first steps into the professional game with Ukrainian side Volyn Lutsk. There followed a short loan spell at Steaua Bucharest in Romania, before Maicon joined Shakhtar on a free transfer in 2012.

As per the BBC, he made six appearances and scored one goal for the side.

That they have decided to pay out his contract in support of his family is clearly the right move in the circumstances, and it should be commended by all.