IMAGE © ROBIN PARKER/FOTOSPORTS INTERNATIONAL
Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba remained in a critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest during the FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, the hospital and club said in a joint statement today.
The 23-year-old will remain anaesthetised in intensive care for at least the next 24 hours after collapsing on the pitch at White Hart Lane where he was given CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) by medics before being taken to hospital.
The match was abandoned at 1-1 just before halftime after Muamba fell to the turf near the centre circle. No other player was involved in the incident and after a delay of several minutes referee Howard Webb took the teams off the field.
“Fabrice received prolonged resuscitation at the ground and on route to The London Chest Hospital, where his heart eventually started working,” Sunday’s hospital statement said.
“As is normal medical practice, Fabrice remains anaesthetised 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.”
Messages of support for England under-21 international Muamba have come flooding in from players, clubs and fans with flowers and messages delivered to the hospital and laid outside Bolton’s Reebok stadium.
Bolton’s Premier League game at Aston Villa which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday has been postponed.