Munster head coach Anthony Foley died of acute pulmonary oedema caused by a heart condition, according to a report from the French coroner’s office.
A statement released on Tuesday evening confirmed the cause of death of the 42-year-old, who passed away suddenly in a Parisian hotel last weekend.
“Cardiac arrhythmia caused an acute oedema of the lungs,” said Emmanuelle Lepissier, spokeswoman for Nanterre prosecutor Catherine Denis, as translated by the Irish Times.
"He took up that ball and took Munster Rugby to places they never dreamed they would be" #RIPAxel https://t.co/DVa9k2kOpQ
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 16, 2016
An irregular heartbeat is thought to have resulted in an excess of fluid building up in the lungs of Foley which would have made it difficult for him to breathe.
Foley, a legend of both Munster and Irish rugby, was found on Sunday morning by a hotel employee and a Munster player, according to the report.
Foley’s remains will be flown home to Ireland on Wednesday, with a funeral mass for family and friends planned for Friday afternoon at St Flannan’s Church in Killaloe, Co Clare.
