Sevilla's Puerta dies in hospital

[Rappy Veteran]

Spain international Antonio Puerta has died after suffering a heart attack in his club side Sevilla's 4-1 win against Getafe on Saturday.

Defender Puerta, 22, collapsed in the first-half and medics prevented him from swallowing his tongue.

But he collapsed again after going off and was given cardiac resuscitation before being taken to hospital.

He was placed in intensive care and doctors said on Tuesday his condition had deteriorated before his death.

Puerta collapsed after jogging back towards his own goal 35 minutes into the opening league game of the season at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday.

Team mates and medical staff rushed to his side and were seen preventing him from swallowing his tongue as he lost consciousness.

He was able to walk from the pitch but doctors said that he collapsed again in the changing rooms and had to be given cardiac resuscitation before being taken to the Virgen del Rocio hospital.

Hospital director Gimeno Guerrero said Puerta died of "multiple organ failure, stemming from prolonged cardiac arrest."

Sevilla were due to play AEK Athens in the second leg of a third round Champions League qualifier on Tuesday but the match has been postponed until Monday 3 September.

As a consequence, the league match against Osasuna that was scheduled for next Monday has been postponed.

There will also be a minute's silence in tribute of Puerta before every La Liga match next weekend.

A league statement said: "The Professional Football League wishes to pass on its most sincere condolences to the family of Antonio Puerta.

"It has also declared the next day of league play to be one of official mourning and asked all its affiliated teams to observe a minute's silence before the games."

European football's governing body said: "UEFA and the entire football family extend their sympathy and sincere condolences to the family of Antonio Puerta."

Another death...its a damn shame :(

[Martyn]

Yeah, I have been following this closely on RAWK and I think everyone knew last night the guy would not pull through.

It is so saddening, and the worst part is that his partner is pregnant with his son :(

It is happening to often in football these days, first Foe then Feher and now Puerta. May he Rest In Peace.

[Brodel]

Such a sad story, I heard yesterday on the radio that he had had around 9 heart attacks. Only 22 as well...

[SamNeeds]

Yeah, I've just read it on the BBC Sport site...shocking, just shocking. My condolences to his family.

[sicktomytummy]

Absolutely sick that there are only 2 replies....

Anyways, Im and Im sure himself is very happy that he died; He died doing what he loved. Not of old age. Not of drug overdose but playing football. Thats a death that I think any player loves.

I wish the best to his family.

[metallithrax]

Absolutely sick that there are only 2 replies....

Anyways, Im and Im sure himself is very happy that he died; He died doing what he loved. Not of old age. Not of drug overdose but playing football. Thats a death that I think any player loves.

I wish the best to his family.

Well, there are 3 replies, and I'm certain he isn't very happy that he died. Yes he died doing what he loved, but I don't think he wanted to.

[.kvn]

The streets of Sevilla are thronging with his supporters and even rival supporters from other clubs. Here in Spain the news is of disbelief that someone so young could die in such a way playing the game he loved. Our thoughts are with his family.

Antonio Puerta, 22 yrs old.

May he rest in peace.

[Zoom7000]

More worrying news concerning another footballer tonight, lets hope he pulls through...

Clarke collapse ends Forest tie

Nottingham Forest A-A Leicester

Nottingham Forest's Carling Cup tie at home to Leicester was abandoned at half-time after Foxes defender Clive Clarke collapsed in the dressing room.

Paramedics rushed down the tunnel to attend to Clarke shortly after the half-time whistle.

A Leicester spokesman said the player was receiving medical attention in an ambulance and was conscious.

The restart was initially delayed before the referee called off the game, with Forest leading 1-0.

Forest boss Colin Calderwood and Leicester manager Martin Allen then emerged from the tunnel to make an announcement to the crowd.

Calderwood said: "We are afraid that due to the serious illness of a Leicester player both clubs have agreed to postpone the match."

The Reds held a 1-0 lead over their east midlands counterparts courtesy of Junior Agogo's 31st-minute strike.

[Rappy Veteran]

^

Thats really sad with him being an ex hammer I wish him well.

[Shibby]

Seems recently a few footballers have died while playing football recently. I remember not long ago a league 1 or 2 player died on the pitch.

[Trixx]

May he RIP. Worst way to go..

[sicktomytummy]

May he RIP. Worst way to go..

Dieing while practicing what you love? I think its the best way.

[Toxikk Veteran]

I could not believe it when I watched the video. It is a shame that this young man had to perish from this earth in that nature. too bad. :/

[Martyn]

Dieing while practicing what you love? I think its the best way.

He had a wife and also an unborn child on the way. He had a brilliant footballing career ahead of him, and a long fulfilling life. He was only 22, there is no best way.

[Rappy Veteran]

Chaswe Nsofwa, a forward who played for Zambia at the 2002 African Cup of Nations, collapsed during a practice session Wednesday in the Israeli city of Beersheva and died minutes later in a hospital, the Israeli rescue service said.

Nsofwa was with Hapoel Beersheva, which plays in Israel's second division. Israel TV reported he collapsed during a practice game in the desert city. Rescue workers tried to restart his heart for several minutes on the field before taking him to Soroka Hospital in Beersheba.

Nsofwa was 26, according to the roster Zambia gave FIFA when he played in the 1999 World Youth Championship, which listed his date of birth as Oct. 22, 1980.

Paramedic Carmel Cohen told The Associated Press he rushed to the field when he received the emergency call.

[spacer]

Well I have no idea who this is, but it sucks none the less.

[metallithrax]

Link

More news on Clarke. Seems his heart failed/stopped twice but he is getting better.

[Rappy Veteran]

Its really bad just how many are just dying like that...one second training next second dead :(

[metallithrax]

One more reason for me not to train I suppose.

[benplace]

Wow prayers to his friends and family.

how did this happen to a 22 yr old? IT couldnt be from just working out. No disrespect, but were drugs involved?

[Martyn]

how did this happen to a 22 yr old? IT couldnt be from just working out. No disrespect, but were drugs involved?

He suffered a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which is unfortunately quite common in young athletes.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypertrophic_cardiomyopathy

[E6400C2D2007]

Wow prayers to his friends and family.

how did this happen to a 22 yr old? IT couldnt be from just working out. No disrespect, but were drugs involved?

Its a sickness that can't be detected.

[ZiGGA]

RIP Puerta

Sevilla is on the rise and he had a lot to give, it's tragic really. It's not the last time it's going to happen, which is the sad thing.

sad week for football all around the globe, another guy from zimbabwe died today whilst training so I read.

Crazy,

[hackdoom]

Truly sad. R.I.P. Antonio.

He didn't consume drugs. The disease CAN be detected, but it's just incurable. It's also hereditary by the way, and it has been lately known common in some young athletes. I can't still believe that they let him WALK on his own out of the field in such condition.

Edited August 30, 2007 by Double-0-Seven

[L3thal Veteran]

That's what I do not understand either. Why would the medical staff just allow him to walk out on his own? If a player collapses on the field with no reactions and suddenly awakens again, you have to rush the player to the nearest hospital because common sense tells you something is not wrong. He just didn't collapse because he was dehydrated or something.

A lot of good players are dying and have died because of this disease. Its unfortunate.