Sunday, March 18, 2012

Tottenham-Bolton FA Cup tie abandoned as Fabrice Muamba collapses, reports say he is 'critically ill'

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba is "critically ill" in a London hospital after collapsing in FA Cup tie against Tottenham, a joint hospital and club statement said.
"Bolton Wanderers can confirm that Fabrice Muamba has been admitted to The Heart Attack Centre at The London Chest Hospital where he is in a critically ill condition in intensive care,'' the statement said.
"No further information will be issued at this stage. The club and hospital request that the media and public respect the family's privacy at this time.''
Muamba was reportedly unconscious when stretchered from the field at White Hart Lane shortly before the FA Cup quarter-final clash was abandoned.
The 23-year-old Kinshasa-born player went down without interference towards the end of the first half.
Several paramedics attempted to revive the former England Under-21 international for around six minutes before he was stretchered off the field.
Muamba was wearing an oxygen mask and was flanked by a number of paramedics and Bolton medical staff.
He was rushed to hospital, where a spokesman said earlier on Sunday morning (EDT) that he was in a stable condition after medical staff had been able to restore his breathing.
Several players from both teams were in tears as the seriousness of the situation became apparent and fans sang Muamba's name as he was treated.
Muamba's Bolton team-mate Stuart Holden tweeted: "Praying for you Fab. Hope he's OK. Thoughts with him and his family."
Referee Howard Webb called the players off the field before an announcement shortly afterwards that the game had been abandoned after 41 minutes with the scores at 1-1.
Commentating on ESPN, former Liverpool and England winger John Barnes said: "From the players' reaction on both sides it seemed that things were pretty serious."
Former England coach Kevin Keegan, also commentating on the match, added: "(Tottenham striker) Jermain Defoe seemed absolutely distraught.
"The fans are in a state of shock. I've never seen anything like that on a football pitch before. Our hearts go out to his family."
English football stars were quick to express their concern, with Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand tweeting: "Come on Fabrice Muamba, praying for you."
Arsenal and England midfiedler Jack Wilshere, who played with Muamba during a loan spell at Bolton, added: "Hope Muamba is okay. Thoughts with him."
Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone wrote: "Thoughts with Fab and his family. Feel sick watching this, puts football and everything else into perspective."
Bolton manager Owen Coyle and club captain Kevin Davies are reported to have gone to hospital to join Muamba, who moved to England from the Democratic Republic of Congo at the age of 11 after his father fled the war-torn country.
Wanderers released a statement soon after the match was called off, which said: "Fabrice Muamba has been taken to hospital following his collapse. We have no further information at this time."
Tottenham added in a statement: "Everyone at the club sends their best wished to Fabrice and his family."

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