Tributes have poured in for Abdul-Latif Pouget, a 20-year-old football player who tragically died three days after being stabbed near Farringdon station. Abdul-Latif, a left-winger for Zaza FC in the %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_0%% Sunday Football League, was found injured on Back Hill, Clerkenwell, at around 9.30 pm on October 18.
%%UKNIP_ANCHOR_1%% were initially called to the scene following reports of a moped crash but soon discovered that Abdul-Latif had been stabbed. He was rushed to the hospital for treatment, but despite the efforts of medical staff, he succumbed to his injuries three days later, on October 21. His %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_2%% is being supported by specialist officers during this difficult time.
Duygu Ozen, the club secretary for Zaza FC, where Abdul-Latif had played since he was 14, described him as a “cool-headed” player with a kind heart. “Football was his ambition,” she said. “He was just very gentle, a quiet guy who would do no wrong to anyone. I remember when I first saw him six years ago, he was very shy and didn't like to speak up much.”
She recalled how Abdul-Latif, who often preferred texting over face-to-face conversations, formed a close bond with his teammates and especially with his manager, Deniz. “I spoke to the manager, and he's still in tears. He’s quite devastated. He can’t accept what happened,” she added. “We have about 40 players in our team, and you can see their personalities from the way they played. Abdul-Latif was quiet—you would not expect anything to happen to him because he was just in his own world.”
Duygu and the team were left heartbroken upon hearing the %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_3%% of Abdul-Latif's death. “We were absolutely devastated when the manager told us. We thought he was joking at first. It just didn't seem real at the time.”
Zaza FC announced Abdul-Latif's passing with a heartfelt message: "You will be missed but never forgotten. You have captured a place in our hearts. Rest in peace." The club also plans to hold a minute's silence in his memory during the %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_4%% Challenge Cup competition on October 27.
Meanwhile, Oguzcan Dereli, 26, of %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_5%%, was arrested on October 20 in connection with the attack and charged with murder the following day. He appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_6%% this morning (October 22).
Superintendent Jack Rowlands, overseeing %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_7%% in Camden, expressed his condolences: "A young man has tragically died in this incident, and our thoughts go out to the victim’s friends and family at this sad time. We made a quick arrest and have brought murder charges against the suspect as we accelerate this %%UKNIP_ANCHOR_8%%. We understand a close-knit community is in shock, but we are determined to bring justice for the victim’s loved ones and continue to support the local neighbourhood during this difficult time."
The police urge anyone with information about the incident to contact them on 101, quoting reference CAD 8294/18Oct, or to reach out anonymously to Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
