Simeone inadvertently breaks news of journalist's death to widow on Twitter

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone accidentally broke the news of Argentine journalist Jorge Lopez's death to his widow - on Twitter.

Simeone mentioned Veronica Brunati in a tweet expressing his condolences at Lopez's death.

But Brunati replied to the message just one minute later and indicated that she had not heard of her husband's death, saying, "Diego, don't tell me that," and urged someone to call her.

Brunati, replying directly, first simply wrote "no", before going on to say: "Diego, don't tell me that. Please, someone call me. I'm in a hotel in San Pablo in the Quality."

Lopez was killed early on Wednesday after his taxi was hit by a stolen car fleeing police, making him the second reporter from his country to die in a wreck in Brazil during the World Cup.

Lopez died at the scene of the accident in downtown Guarulhos and the taxi driver was injured, a police spokeswoman said. Police later detained three people who were in the stolen black Nissan in the city, which is 12 miles (20 km) from Sao Paulo and is home to Brazil's busiest airport.

Among those leading the tributes to Lopez was Messi who, after Wednesday night's win that saw Argentina set up a World Cup final showdown with Germany, dedicated it to the reporter.

“Big hug to all the Argentina fans and a very special memory for Jorge 'Topo' Lopez,” wrote Messi.

“This victory is especially for you, my friend. A big hug to the family, lots of strength.”

Argentina's national team, which plays the Netherlands in the city later on Wednesday in the World Cup semi-final, lamented the loss of Jorge 'Topo' Lopez via its official Twitter account, expressing their condolences to his wife, children and co-workers at Radio La Red and newspaper Ole Sports.

FIFA also paid tribute to the journalist, with head of media Delia Fischer saying they “would like to send our sincerest condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of Argentine journalist, Jorge Lopez”.

His death follows that of reporter Maria Soledad Fernandez, who was killed in a car crash on July 2 while travelling to Belo Horizonte from Sao Paulo.

Local authorities said the car she was in lost control after a collision with another vehicle and fell off a cliff on the BR-391 road near the town of Oliveira, with Fernandez thrown out of the vehicle on the initial impact.

Another vehicle reportedly involved in the accident was spotted soon after at a petrol station with severe damage, and its two occupants were arrested.

Original post by The Rio Report (Yahoo Eurosport)