Indian footballer dies after goal celebration goes wrong

An Indian football player has died after a goal celebration went wrong during a match last week.

Bethlehem Vengthlang FC player Peter Biaksangzuala landed on his head after somersaulting several times when he scored a goal against Chanmari FC last Tuesday in the north-eastern state of Mizoram.

The 23-year-old was rushed to hospital where a CT scan showed he had severely damaged his spinal cord.

He was moved to intensive care but did not recover from the injury and died on Sunday.

It has been reported the player was trying to imitate German football star Miroslav Klose, who performs a flip often after scoring.

A statement on the Mizoram Premier League Facebook page confirmed the player's death and said his jersey number will be retired by Bethlehem Vengthlang FC.

"As Peter sleeps, the world can rest in the knowledge that someone out there would be able to see and the football pitch will always be one man down," the statement read.

"And heaven has gained a defensive midfielder; apart from the hard tackles and the breaking up of good attacks, goal celebrations will never be painful anymore.

"Goodbye Peter."