Muamba 'critically ill' after collapse

Fabrice Muamba is still in a critical condition and will remain anaesthetised in intensive care for at least the next 24 hours after he suffered a cardiac arrest during Bolton's FA Cup tie at Tottenham on Saturday.

FABRICE'S FIGHT

See the worldwide support for Bolton's midfielder Fabrice Muamba.

 

In a joint statement released Sunday morning, the London Chest Hospital and the club said that Muamba's heart did start working again after he was carried from the pitch on a stretcher.

The statement said: "Fabrice was admitted to the hospital yesterday evening after collapsing at White Hart Lane, where he sustained a cardiac arrest during the FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur.

"Fabrice received prolonged resuscitation at the ground and on route to The London Chest Hospital, where his heart eventually started working.

"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."

Muamba's family visited the England Under-21 international on Sunday.

The midfielder was accompanied to hospital on Saturday by Bolton manager Owen Coyle and captain Kevin Davies.

Chairman Phil Gartside was also present as the club try to cope with such a harrowing incident, which led to the FA Cup game being abandoned by referee Howard Webb.

Coyle said: "Fabrice's family have asked me to pass on their thanks for the many, many kind messages of support from not only Bolton fans but also fans from clubs across the country and abroad.

"All our thoughts and prayers are for Fabrice and his family. The family would also like to thank the media for respecting their privacy at this time."

There are no further planned updates on Sunday, while the the Premier League have confirmed that Bolton's match at Aston Villa on Tuesday night has been postponed.

It quickly became apparent after Saturday's incident the Bolton players were in no state to fulfil the fixture and the Premier League will rearrange the game at some point in the season.

Muamba's Bolton teammate Stuart Holden, who was watching the game on television, tweeted: ''Praying for you Fab.''

''Waiting anxiously for updates from teammates,'' he added. ''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 before joining Bolton in June 2008.

''I seriously hope my best friend in football is OK. Stay strong bro please please stay strong,'' said Middlesbrough defender Justin Hoyte, who came through the Arsenal youth team with Muamba.

Muamba has been part of England's youth 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.

''On behalf of The FA, I would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Fabrice Muamba and his family this evening,'' FA Chairman David Bernstein said. ''Fabrice has played 33 times for England Under-21s, captaining Stuart Pearce's side during this time and is a player, and more importantly, a person we care greatly for. We are in contact with Bolton Wanderers over Fabrice's condition and are awaiting updates.''