Former France defender Adams dies after almost 40 years in coma

Adams, who made 22 international appearances in the 1970s, slipped into a coma after a mistake by his anaesthetist during a routine knee surgery in 1982.

REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE: Adams was one of the first men born in West Africa to play for France.

Former France defender Jean-Pierre Adams has died aged 73 after almost 40 years in a coma, his former club Nimes announced on Monday.

Adams, who made 22 international appearances in the 1970s, slipped into a coma after a mistake by his anaesthetist during a routine knee surgery in 1982.

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Born in Dakar in 1948, he was one of the first men born in West Africa to play for France.

His centre-back partnership with Marius Tresor for France was nicknamed "the black guard".

"We learned this morning of the death of Jean-Pierre Adams," Nimes wrote on Twitter, extending their "sincere condolences to his family".

Nous avons appris ce matin la disparition de Jean-Pierre Adams.

Il avait porté les couleurs du Nîmes Olympique à 84 reprises et formait avec Marius Trésor "la garde noire" en Équipe de France.

Le Club présente ses plus sincères condoléances à ses proches et à sa famille. pic.twitter.com/jt5AqinXDg

— Nîmes Olympique (@nimesolympique) September 6, 2021

 

Adams also played for Nice and Paris Saint-Germain.