Footballer Fabrice Muamba ‘critical’ after collapsing during game

A 23-YEAR-OLD footballer was in a critical condition in hospital last night after he collapsed during an FA Cup match in London.

Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba was carried off the pitch on a stretcher after the incident, which occurred five minutes before halftime during a game against Tottenham Hotspur.

Six doctors spent about ten minutes trying to resuscitate the player from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who reportedly stopped breathing.

It is understood Muamba collapsed on the pitch some distance away from the other players. The game was abandoned by the referee after both teams said they did not want to continue playing. Fans applauded as the players left the ground.

Muamba was admitted to the London Chest Hospital’s heart attack centre in a critical condition.