BELO HORIZONTE: Argentina’s players cancelled their scheduled media conference, after their second round win over Switzerland, after the car crash death of the daughter of a reporter covering their campaign.

Maria Soledad Fernandez, a fashion designer and daughter of prominent Argentinian journalist Miguel ‘Titi’ Fernandez, was killed on her way back to Belo Horizonte from Sao Paulo. Two colleagues were injured after their car was struck from behind by another vehicle.

Soledad was thrown from the car. Highway police said she had not been wearing a seat belt. The driver of the other car was detained and charged over her death.

AFA general secretary Juan Carlos Crespi said: “The players are extremely saddened by this death because they also feel affected as they are also children and they also have children themselves. She was much loved.”

Team officials and reporters held a minute’s silence, with many in tears and clapping.

Crespi added: “I would like to apologise to media but we will not hold a press conference. Old people like me are also affected because children normally bury their parents, not the other way around.”

Argentina face Belgium in the quarter-finals after Tuesday’s 1-0 extra-time win over the Swiss.

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