The Confederation of African Football has called for tough sanctions after Cameroonian footballer Albert Ebosse died after being hit by an object thrown from the stands during a league match in Algeria on Saturday.

Ebosse was fatally struck on the head at the end of his side JS Kabylie’s 2-1 defeat against USM Alger in Tizi Ouzou. The 24-year-old had earlier netted Kabylie’s equaliser from the penalty spot before USM Alger went on to score a late winner.

Reacting to news of Ebosse’s death, CAF president Issa Hayatou said: “My thoughts go out to the family and friends of this young man who enjoyed his job peacefully and went further to pursue his passion for football abroad.

He added: “African football cannot be the breeding ground for hooliganism whatsoever. We expect exemplary sanctions to be taken against this grave act of violence.”

Kabylie confirmed Ebosse’s death in a statement on the club’s website and revealed that an investigation had been opened.

It read: “The Ministry of Interior and Local Government, speaking through minister Tayeb Belaiz, has given an instruction to open an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Albert Ebosse.”