An international soccer star who spent 39 years in a coma after doctors botched a routine knee operation has died

• Former France international soccer star Jean-Pierre Adams has died after spending 39 years in a coma.
• Adams slipped into a coma in 1982 due to a medical error during a knee operation.
• An error with the amount of anesthetic caused Adams to suffer a cardiac arrest and brain damage.

Former France international soccer star Jean-Pierre Adams has died after spending 39 years in a coma.

Adams had made 22 appearances for France when he fell into a coma in 1982 due to an error with his supply of anesthetic during a routine knee operation.

He suffered a cardiac arrest and brain damage and never regained consciousness, with his wife caring for him at home until his death aged 73.

In 1993, the anesthetist and trainee who were responsible for the error that led to Adams' coma were punished with a one-month suspended prison sentence and a 750 euro fine.

The trainee later admitted in court, according to CNN: "I was not up to the task I was entrusted with."

At the time, many staff at the hospital Adams attended were on strike, meaning that the anesthetist in charge was looking after eight patients at one time.

OGC Nice, the club with which Adams spent much of his domestic career, said it would be paying tribute to its former player before its next home game against Monaco on September 19.

"[We] are deeply saddened by the news that Jean-Pierre Adams has passed away, having fallen into a coma on 17 March 1982," the club said.

"OGC Nice offers its deepest condolences to all the loved ones who watched over him for 39 years."

Paris-Saint Germain, another of Adams' former clubs, said in a statement that it "offers heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones."