Doesn’t matter what deity you believe in, if any. Please take a moment to send some supportive energy towards Fabrice Muamba.
Bolton’s Muamba collapses during match; FA Cup game abandoned
LONDON (AP) — Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba was rushed to a hospital Saturday as medics appeared to try to resuscitate him after he collapsed during an FA Cup match.Muamba fell to the ground in the 41st minute with no players around him and the quarterfinal was immediately stopped, then abandoned.
Medics rushed onto the field with a defibrillator and treated the 23-year-old Muamba, pumping his chest for around six minutes of treatment.
Some players appeared to be praying as fans chanted his name between periods of silence at White Hart Lane.
After Muamba was carried off on a stretcher with an oxygen mask and with his chest still being pumped, all the players also left the field before referee Howard Webb abandoned the quarterfinal.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle and forward Kevin Davies accompanied the player to a hospital. Bolton said there were no further details on his condition.
Bolton teammate Stuart Holden, who was watching the game on television, tweeted: “waiting anxiously for updates from teammates. Fab is a fighter!”
Muamba was born in what was then called Zaire on April 6, 1988. His father left the country because of political turmoil and settled in England, and Muamba joined Arsenal’s youth academy in 2002.
He made his debut at age 17 on Oct. 25, 2005, in the League Cup at Sunderland, and was loaned to Birmingham in the League Championship the following season. The loan was made permanent in May 2007, and he made his Premier League debut for Birmingham in 2007-08.|
He joined Bolton in June 2008.
Muamba has been part of England’s youth team system and was a member of its team at last year’s European Under-21 Championship, where he came on as a substitute against Ukraine and started against the Czech Republic.
It was a horrible sight on the pitch, with players in tears and praying. (And one that brings up some very bad memories for La Liga fans who remember Ruben de la Red’s 2008 on-pitch collapse and also that of Sevilla’s Antonio Puerta in 2007)
Our thoughts are with Fabrice, his wife, young son Joshua and other family members.
Updated: Sky Sports Mobile is reporting that Muamba is in stable condition according to a hospital spokesman. Thank god. More as it happens.
– Lozil
Of Headbands and Heartbreak
watishistacorrespondents
Of Headbands and Heartbreak... 
Great news that he’s stable now. That was horrible to watch and I do hope he comes out of this. From what I’ve read he’s a fighter. My thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
Fox Soccer has tweeted that they will not be showing ANY footage or replays from today’s match. And rightfully so! My thoughts are with him and his family at this time.
I heard he’s in a stable condition. Hope that’s true. Sending love and thoughts to him and his loved ones. I think ESPN’s coverage was good and respectful,by keeping their cameras away from him and also by not showing his teammates for longer than a few seconds. I really respect that.
Sky Sports and ESPN are both reporting that he’s stable after a statement from the hospital. It was so scary and heartbreaking to watch. I just keep thinking of his wife and young son.
Thank goodness for the quick medical response! I do hope that everything turns out well for the man. I’ve been keeping my eye on the news in hopes of something good.
I was just listening to BBC 6 Music while working on my paper and they said that he was in critical condition in intensive care in the heart center at the hospital. That’s so different than anything else I’ve heard, I’m confused. But I guess we should just go by the hospital’s official statements. I don’t think he’s out of the woods by any stretch of the imagination, but you’re right – thank god the paramedics were there and they had a defibrillator. We’ve had many deaths of young players (high school and college) in the US on the field, so now defibrillators are required.
Just saw the same here: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1037005/fabrice-muamba-in-stable-condition-after-collapse?cc=5901
While the above says stable, the story itself says critical. It’s hard to believe when it happens to someone so young and fit. My worry is how long he was, apparently, not breathing.
The official website: http://www.bwfc.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~2663856,00.html
They state he’s in a ‘critically ill condition’. I just hope he gets better.
Argh. Thanks so much for finding that Mandi. I’m sending him all the energy I can right now. He’s just a kid. 😦
I thought this was interesting…apparently it was a complaint from Mourinho during his time at Chelsea that led to ambulances being required to be on standby at all matches. That policy change may very well have saved Fabrice’s life.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/mar/18/fabrice-muamba-medical-rules
That is really interesting. That was the game that both Cech and Cuidicini were knocked out and Terry had to take over in goal. Cech nearly died from a depressed skull fracture. That he should have to wait 30 minutes for an ambulance is insane. I’m glad Mou stood up for the players and that the rules were changed.
Thinking of you your family and team at this time.
I watched the first part of the match but switched channels and did not finish the game.
Praying for his recovery. He is way too young for this, and I hope he has many more years ahead.
Hang in there Fabrice! You can do it 🙂
Get well soon!
May our Lord look after him and may he have a successful recovery. We will keep praying..Qe diosito y nuestra madresita lo cuieden y que se recupere pronto.segiremos resando.
I thought it was really beautiful when the Real players came out today wearing shirts supporting both Muamba and Abidal. I’m glad that they made a public statement of support.
u are right…and Muamba,what a young,talented player…he make me so sad…hope he will fine!