Pioneering soccer player Regis dies at 59

Cyrille Regis, a pioneer for black soccer players in England who endured racist abuse while forging a career with West Bromwich Albion and playing for England’s national team, has died. He was 59. Regis died Sunday after a heart attack, the West Brom Former Players’ Association wrote on Twitter. English Football Association chairman Greg Clarke said Regis “broke new ground and paved the way for a generation of young black players in this country during the ’70s and ’80s.” Born in French Guiana in 1958, Regis moved to London with his family when he was five. He did not come through the youth ranks with a professional soccer club and was spotted playing for nonleague teams around London. “He came into football the hard way and never lost his passion for the game,” widow Julia Regis said.