Joachim Fernandez (6 December 1972 – 19 January 2016) was a professional footballer who played as a defender.[1] Born in Senegal, he held French citizenship.

Joachim Fernandez
Personal information
Date of birth (1972-12-06)6 December 1972
Place of birth Ziguinchor, Senegal
Date of death 19 January 2016(2016-01-19) (aged 43)
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
Bordeaux
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1994Sedan (loan) 37 (1)
1994–1995Angers (loan) 27 (1)
1995–1996 Bordeaux 5 (0)
1996–1997 Caen 26 (1)
1997 Udinese 1 (0)
1997–1999 Monza 0 (0)
1999–2000 Milan 0 (0)
1998–1999Toulouse (loan) 0 (0)
2000 Dundee United 6 (0)
2001 Persma Manado 2 (1)
Total 104 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He played for Sedan, Angers, Bordeaux, Caen, Udinese, Monza,[2] Toulouse,[3] Dundee United and Persma Manado.[4]

Career

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Born in Senegal, Fernandez was a FC Girondins de Bordeaux youth product.[5] He spent two seasons on loan in French Division 2 with Sedan and Angers.[6]

After returning from loan, Fernandez made his Ligue 1 debut with Bordeaux under manager Slavoljub Muslin in November 1995, in a match against Lens.[6] In December, he played against Real Betis in the second leg of the 1995–96 UEFA Cup round of 16, at the Estadio Benito Villamarín. Bordeaux lost 2–1 but progressed to the quarter-final thanks to a 2–0 win in the first leg.[6] In the second half of the season he made just four appearances under Muslin and Muslin's successor Gernot Rohr.[6] One of these appearances was as a substitute in Bordeaux's 3–0 win against A.C. Milan in the UEFA Cup quarter-final.[6]

Having been released by Bordeaux at the end of the 1995–96 season, Fernandez joined Caen, also of Ligue 1, where he played for most of the season.[6] He continued his career in Italy but made no appearances while at Udinese, Monza and Milan, and on loan at French club Toulouse.[6]

Fernandez moved to Scotland in summer 2000 signing a two-year contract with Scottish Premier League club Dundee United.[7] While at Dundee United, he notably had an altercation with Everton's Paul Gascoigne during a friendly match.[7] Having made seven appearances and with the club placed last in the league, he was released in December, five months into his contract.[7]

He played two matches for Persma Manado in Indonesia before retiring from playing at the age of 29,[6] due to a knee injury.[5]

Personal life

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Fernandez had a wife and a son.[5] He later separated from his wife and no longer saw his son.[5] He spent parts of his wages supporting family in Senegal.[5]

He died on 19 January 2016 in Domont, aged 43.[5][8] He was buried in Senegal.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Décès de l'ancien international Joachim Fernandez". APS (in French). 19 January 2016. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  2. ^ "French Players in Italy". Rsssf.com. Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  3. ^ "L'histoire du club par saison | Le site officiel du Toulouse Football Club". Tfc.info (in French). Retrieved 25 January 2016.
  4. ^ Joachim Fernandez – French league stats at LFP – also available in French (archived)
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Lasry-Segura, Édith (5 April 2016). "Joachim, l'ancien footballeur mort de froid et sans abri à Domont". Le Parisien (in French). Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Edwards, Mathias (1 February 2016). "Joachim Fernandez, itinéraire d'un homme parti trop tôt / France / Girondins de Bordeaux". So Foot (in French). Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  7. ^ a b c "Fernandez is freed by United". BBC Sport. 12 December 2000. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  8. ^ "La mort mystérieuse de l'ancien joueur des Girondins, Joachim Fernandez". Sud Ouest (in French). 9 October 2016. Retrieved 23 November 2021.