Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba is in a stable condition in hospital tonight after collapsing during the FA Cup quarter final tie with Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
The 23-year-old crumpled to the ground during the 41st minute of the game despite their being no players in the immediate vicinity. Players and staff frantically urged the paramedics onto the field once they realised the severity of the situation. The medical teams from both clubs rushed onto the scene with reports indicating Muamba lost consciousness as they arrived.
Several attempts to resuscitate him were carried out on the pitch with a defibrillator also being used before he was stretchered off and driven to hospital with Wanderers boss Owen Coyle and captain Kevin Davies accompanying him in the ambulance. Referee Howard Webb promptly abandoned the game after consulting with Coyle, Davies, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp and skipper Scott Parker beforehand.
Middlesbrough defender and close friend Justin Hoyte, who played with Muamba during their Arsenal days, offered words of support for his stricken former teammate via his twitter account.
“Hoyte tweeted: “I seriously hope my best friend in football is OK. Stay strong bro please please stay strong. God is with you remember that.”
It’s not yet known what caused Muamba to collapse with CPR continuing to be administered as he was driven away in the ambulance. However it was revealed just over an hour later that he was in a stable condition in hospital.
