Jean-Pierre Adams, ex-France defender, dies after 39 years in coma 

Jean-Pierre Adams, former France defender, has passed on after 39 years in a coma. 

Adam, who had been comatose since March 1982 following an error with his supply of anaesthetic during knee surgery, died on Monday at the age of 73.

Born in Senegal, the defender was amongst the first West Africans to play for France, making 22 international appearances for the French national team in the 1970s.

He also made more than 140 appearances for Nice and played for Paris St-Germain (PSG).

Announcing Adam’s death, PSG, in a statement, praised the former defender’s “joie de vivre, and charisma” while offering condolences to the deceased family.

“Paris Saint-Germain lost, this Monday, September 6, one of its glorious former. Defender of the Rouge et Bleu and the French team, Jean-Pierre Adams wore the Parisian colours from 1977 to 1979,” the statement read.

“Paris Saint-Germain offers its condolences to his family and loved ones.”

Adams got injured during a match with FC Chalon-sur-Saone and was rushed to a hospital in Lyon.

However, on March 17, 1982 — the day of his surgery — many staff were on strike.

His operation still went ahead, but Adams was administered a near-fatal dose of anaesthetic before a routine knee operation, which caused brain damage, putting him into a coma.