Ex-Glasgow Rangers player shot dead in Honduras

FORMER Rangers midfielder Arnold Peralta has been shot dead in Honduras in his home town of La Ceiba. The 26-year-old was killed in the car park outside the Uniplaza shopping mall according to a police statement.

It was believed the Honduras international was on holiday at the end of the local season, having left Glasgow and returned to Honduras in January of this year to play for Club Deportivo Olimpia.

No suspects are in custody, while the motive of the attack remains unknown, although police have ruled out robbery. Honduras has the world’s highest murder rate, outside of war-zones, and experiences extreme levels of gang violence. 

The player’s father, Carlos Peralta, confirmed his death at a press conference. “This is terrible. They killed my exemplary son. I can’t say more because of the pain I feel.”

Osman Madrid, director of Honduras’ national football federation, said, “This is a tragic death that the national sport mourns.”

His club expressed its condolences through its official Twitter account.

Peralta appeared for the Scottish club 29 times over two seasons and scored one goal. He also played at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil and represented Honduras in London’s 2012 Olympic Games.