Branislav Ivanović's cousin Dejan Milovanović dies after collapsing in veterans match

Former Red Star Belgrade midfielder Dejan Milovanović has died at the age of 41 after suffering a heart attack during a veterans' match, his club and former teams said.

Milovanović collapsed as he prepared to take a corner in a Red Star Belgrade legends fixture on Tuesday. He was revived on the pitch and rushed to hospital, where he suffered a second, fatal heart attack, the Veterans League said.

The midfielder had scored in what was described as his final match for the Red Star veterans, contributing as the former-players side beat PKB Korporacija. Milovanović had been a prominent figure at Red Star, captaining the club and winning seven trophies, including three league titles. He made two senior appearances for Serbia.

A product of Red Star's youth ranks and the son of former Red Star midfielder Đorđe Milovanović, Milovanović played abroad with French side Lens, where he was part of the team that won the Ligue 2 title in 2008-09 and earned promotion to Ligue 1. He also represented Panionios in Greece and Vozdovac in Serbia, before retiring after the 2013-14 season.

The Veterans League announced the postponement of its next round of fixtures, saying: "Dear club representatives, a few minutes ago, during a veterans' match, Dejan Milovanoviv, a player of FK Zvezdara, passed away. For this reason, the next round, which was supposed to be played on September 18, will be postponed." The league used the alternate name FK Zvezdara for the veterans side involved in the fixture.

Red Star's veterans president Boško Đurovski paid tribute in a statement that described Milovanović as "more than a footballer," noting his progression through the club's youth categories and his enduring commitment to the Red Star veterans. "With his skill, fighting spirit, and charisma, he left an indelible mark in the hearts of his teammates and fans," Đurovski said, adding that Milovanović would be remembered as "cheerful, smiling, and always ready to help."

Red Star's main club also issued a statement, saying: "Dejan loved football and Red Star the most. It will remain recorded that it was on the pitch that the heart of a great Red Star fan, fighter, and football master stopped beating." French club Lens posted a message on X offering condolences and noting Milovanović made 47 appearances for the club between 2008 and 2010.

Milovanović came from a footballing family and was the cousin of former Chelsea and Serbia defender Branislav Ivanović, who played for Chelsea between 2008 and 2017 and won multiple domestic and European trophies. Ivanović has not publicly commented on Milovanović's death.

Clubs and teammates expressed shock at the sudden loss. Tributes highlighted Milovanović's on-field contributions and his continued presence in veterans' events after retirement, reflecting a long-standing attachment to Red Star. Medical officials and organizers at the match provided immediate assistance on the field before he was transferred to hospital.

The death of Milovanović is the latest in a series of high-profile on-field medical emergencies that have prompted renewed attention to cardiac screening and emergency response protocols at matches for retired professionals and amateur players alike. Red Star and the Veterans League did not provide further details on any ongoing investigations into the circumstances of the collapse. Funeral arrangements were not announced at the time of the clubs' statements.