Robert Enke

Robert Enke's funeral set for Sunday


Robert Enke, the Germany goalkeeper who committed suicide, will be buried on Sunday in a small ceremony near his home following a memorial service at the Hannover stadium
 

Paying tribute: a sea of candles have been placed to commemorate Robert Enke outside Hannover's stadium Photo: REUTERS

The Hannover goalstopper was struck by a regional train travelling between Norddeich and Hanover at a railway crossing in Neustadt am Rubenberge on Monday evening and died at the scene.

Germany's friendly with Chile in Cologne on Saturday has been called off, while hundreds of football fans have gathered outside Hannover's AWD-Arena to sign a book of condolence for Enke, and to leave flowers and scarves and light candles in his memory.

Enke's widow Teresa and his psychologist Dr Valentin Markser appeared at a press conference at the AWD-Arena on Wednesday to explain the background to his tragic death.

Enke was first treated for depression and performance anxiety in 2003, during his time at Barcelona, for whom he made only one La Liga appearance.

His widow revealed he feared their adopted daughter Leila would be taken away if the illness became public knowledge.

The couple adopted the eight-month-old in May. They lost their biological daughter Lara in 2006 when she died of a rare heart condition at the age of just two.

Teresa Enke said: "I tried to be there for him, said that football is not everything. There are many beautiful things in life. It is not hopeless.

"We had Lara, we have Leila.

"I always wanted to help him to get through it. He didn't want it to come out because of fear. He was scared of losing Leila."


Robert Enke suicide leaves Germany captain Michael Ballack in shock
German soccer star, suffering from depression, commits suicide by train