Bolton Midfielder, Fabrice Muamba Collapses And Stopped Breathing On Field During FA Cup Match(Photos)

Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba was said to be critically ill in intensive care tonight after collapsing during a match with Tottenham.

Tonight, a Bolton spokesman said: "Bolton Wanderers can confirm that Fabrice Muamba has been admitted to the heart attack centre at London Chest Hospital where he is currently in a critically ill condition in intensive care.

"No further information will be issued at this stage.

"The club has requested the media to respect his family's privacy at this time."

The 23-year-old had walked to the side of the pitch before collapsing face first onto the ground.
He was immediately surrounded by players and medical staff.

However the player was not breathing and CPR was administered before a defibrillator was called for.
The former England Under-21 star was taken off on a stretcher as fans held their heads in their hands, with some in tears.

The incident was so serious the match at White Hart lane was abandoned after 41 minutes by referee Howard Webb.

The footballer was rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
Commentating on ESPN, John Barnes said: "From the players' reaction on both sides it seemed that things were pretty serious."

Kevin Keegan added: "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."

There was nobody around Muamba when he went down and he was not involved in a challenge.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle ran on to the pitch to see what had happened as players gathered and a defibrillator was used on the star, who has also played for Arsenal and Birmingham.

As a message was relayed around the stadium that the game was off, the fans applauded and chanted Muamba's name.

The scene recalled memories of Cameroon's Marc Vivien-Foe who collapsed and died during a Confederations Cup match in 2003.         

Muamba has previously played for Arsenal and Birmingham City.

"All the support staff and substitutes were on the pitch. Fans from both teams were chanting Muamba's name."
Mr Bowman said that abandoning the match was the only option.
He went on: "The players were in shock. No-one wanted it to go on.

"It was eerie coming out of the ground. No-one was saying anything. There was hush, a silence. No-one could quite believe it. It was terrible."