Henrik Larsson has withdrawn from the Sweden squad following the news that his brother had died.
Swedish star withdraws from squad after brother's death
Henrik Larsson has withdrawn from the Sweden squad following the news that his brother had died.
The 37-year-old was informed of the sad news as he was leaving the field after Sweden's 1-0 loss at home to Denmark in their World Cup qualifier on Saturday.
According to reports, Robert Larsson, 35, was found dead in his apartment in Sweden over the weekend.
The Helsingborgs striker received the full support of his Sweden team-mates who all stated that the news had put the Denmark result into perspective.
"It is very tragic. We all feel for Henrik. It was already a low atmosphere but this made it lower," midfielder Daniel Andersson told
Aftonbladet.
"Football comes second now. Of course Henrik must be devastated. We are very sad too."
Condolences
Celtic, where the frontman scored 242 goals in 315 games during a seven-year stay, have also sent their condolences to the Larsson family.
"The thoughts and prayers of everyone at Celtic are very much with Henrik and the entire Larsson family at what will be an extremely difficult time, following the tragic passing of Robert," a club spokesman said.
"Henrik Larsson is a man who will forever be held in the highest esteem, not only by Celtic and its fans, but by football supporters around the world after everything he has done in the game.
"He is someone who is rightly regarded as a true Celtic legend and a man who we were privileged to have as such a major part of our club for seven years.
"Clearly, he and his family have experienced a huge loss and we are sure the entire Celtic family send their condolences to them all at this time."
Larsson has been replaced in the Sweden squad by Tobias Hysen for the World Cup qualifier with Malta on Wednesday.
The Denmark result leaves Sweden with an uphill task to qualify for South Africa next summer with the Swedes sat in fourth, 10 points behind leaders Denmark with a game in hand on their rivals with five games to play.
