Footballer critical after on-field collapse
Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba remained in a critical condition on Sunday after suffering a cardiac arrest and collapsing during an FA Cup match at Tottenham that was later abandoned on Saturday.
Bolton said in a statement on Sunday that the 23-year-old player’s heart “started working again” at a London hospital on Saturday night.
The former England under-21 player fell face-down to the pitch near the halfway line during Saturday’s FA Cup match and medics rushed onto the pitch to begin resuscitating him.
Releasing more details of Muamba’s condition, Bolton said that Muamba remains “in a critical condition” in intensive care at the London Chest Hospital’s heart attack unit.
“Fabrice received prolonged resuscitation at the ground and on route to the London Chest Hospital, where his heart eventually started working,” Bolton said in a joint statement with the hospital.
“As is normal medical practice, Fabrice remains anesthetized in intensive care and will be for at least 24 hours. His condition continues to be closely monitored by the cardiac specialists at the hospital.”
Muamba’s heart attack prompted an outpouring of support and a warning from former footballer turned TV pundit Stan Collymore, who urged followers on Twitter on Saturday night to report anyone making racist remarks – an ongoing problem in FA football – about Muamba.
On Sunday, a 21-year-old man from south Wales was arrested after allegedly doing just that. South Wales Police say the man wrote racially offensive comments and is being held in custody in Swansea Central.
