Welwyn Garden City confirms death of former player

Juan Cifuentes, 33, had travelled to Denmark alongside Farooq Abdulrazak, 37, for a business trip, and the pair were expected to return on Sunday.

On the same day, two bodies were found inside a burning car in an industrial area in the Swedish city of Malmo, with emergency workers making the grim discovery when they extinguished the flames.

Both bodies are yet to be identified and the Metropolitan Police confirmed it is investigating.

Everyone at the club is saddened and shocked by the news yesterday of the passing of Juan Cifuentes. Juan was part of our double winning squad in 2014-15. A very good player and great person. We send our condolences to all his family, friends and ex team mates. RIP Juan 🙏

— Welwyn Garden City FC (@WGCFC) July 18, 2024

Welwyn Garden City FC confirmed the passing of Mr Cifuentes and paid tribute, saying everyone at the club was "saddened and shocked".

"Juan was part of our double winning squad in 2014/15. A very good player and great person. We send our condolences to all his family, friends and ex-team mates. RIP Juan," the post read.

His former manager at Welwyn Garden City FC, Adam Fisher, also paid a touching tribute, adding: "I'm absolutely devastated, upset, angry and more. This man was an absolute pleasure to manage.

"Someone that became a close friend, a brilliant team mate, a father and husband. My sincere condolences and thoughts to all his family. Fly high Juanito my friend."

I'm absolutely devastated, upset, angry and more. This man was an absolute pleasure to manage @WGCFC and someone that became a close friend, a brilliant teammate, a father and husband! My sincere condolences and thoughts to all his family - Fly high Juanito my friend and RIP 🙏🏼🥺 pic.twitter.com/cIZPQc6WiF

— Adam Fisher (@MrFish82) July 17, 2024

Empire Holiday, which was owned by Mr Abdulrazak, confirmed his passing on Instagram, saying: "It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that the owner of Empire Holidays has sadly passed away."

Swedish police have now confirmed that the victims found inside the car were both shot, and that the incident is being investigated as murder.

"The two people who were found dead in a burned-out car on Sunday afternoon have not yet been identified," said a spokesperson.

"The bodies are being examined by forensic medicine. The incident is currently being investigated as a murder."

According to Swedish media, the Toyota Rav 4, which was later found burnt out, had been rented from Denmark's Copenhagen airport, with CCTV showing three people inside the vehicle when it drove over the Oresund Bridge into Sweden.