Feb 12 • 09:01 UTC 🇦🇷 Argentina Clarin (ES)

Joaquín Law: crushed by a football goalpost, and his parents seek to prevent it from happening to any other child

The parents of Joaquín Gatto are advocating for a national law requiring football goalposts to be anchored and inspected to prevent similar tragedies.

Joaquín Gatto, a 12-year-old boy from Ramos Mejía, tragically died after a football goalpost, which was not anchored properly, fell on him during a camp in Neuquén. This incident occurred in early January while he was playing with friends, and despite being hospitalized, he succumbed to his injuries two days later. Sadly, this incident follows a similar occurrence in October, when another child was killed by a falling goalpost during training at a local club.

In the wake of their son's tragic death, Joaquín's parents, Serena and Adrián, are determined to promote a national law that mandates all football clubs and fields to have securely anchored goalposts and to undergo regular inspections every six months. Serena expressed their anguish and motivation, stating, "There cannot be another Joaquín; this cannot keep happening." Their grief is fresh, having lost their child only a month prior, but their commitment to enact change is unwavering.

Their initiative highlights a critical issue regarding safety standards in youth sports, particularly regarding equipment used in play. The call for legislation emphasizes the need for preventive measures to protect children and ensure that similar accidents do not happen again. By advocating for stringent safety protocols, the Gatto family hopes to raise awareness and potentially save lives, transforming their tragedy into a catalyst for legislation that could significantly improve safety in recreational environments.

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