Bolton’s Muamba in fight for life
BOLTON WANDERERS midfielder Fabrice Muamba was ‘‘critically ill’’ in a London hospital yesterday after his collapse during an FA Cup quarterfinal match against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
Muamba was reportedly unconscious when stretchered from the field shortly before the match 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 taken from the field.
Muamba was wearing an oxygen mask and was flanked by several paramedics and Bolton medical staff.
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.’’
Tottenham midfielder Tom Huddlestone wrote: ‘‘Thoughts with Fab and his family. Feel sick watching this, puts football and everything else into perspective.’’
Football Association chairman David Bernstein also hoped for a speedy recovery.
Muamba moved to England from the Democratic Republic of Congo as an 11-year-old after his father fled the wartorn country.
Earlier, Socceroo Tim Cahill scored for Everton to earn a 1-1 draw with Sunderland in the two Premier League teams’ FA Cup quarterfinal at Goodison Park. The result means David Moyes’ Toffees must travel to the Stadium of Light for a replay.