Bolton's Muamba still 'critically' ill

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba remained in a critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest during the FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, the hospital and club said in a joint statement on Sunday.
  
The 23-year-old will remain anaesthetised in intensive care for at least the next 24 hours after collapsing on the pitch at White Hart Lane where he was given CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) by medics before being taken to hospital. 

The match was abandoned at 1-1 just before halftime after Muamba fell to the turf near the centre circle. No other player was involved in the incident and after a delay of several minutes referee Howard Webb took the teams off the field.    

"Fabrice Muamba remains in a critical condition in intensive care in the Heart Attack Centre at the London Chest Hospital. There will be no further update tonight," a second statement of the day read. 

A previous statement said: "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." 

Messages of support for England under-21 international Muamba have come flooding in from players, clubs and fans with flowers and messages delivered to the hospital and laid outside Bolton's Reebok stadium. 

Bolton's Premier League game at Aston Villa which was scheduled to take place on Tuesday has been postponed. 

Bolton manager Owen 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 at this time. The family would also like to thank the media for respecting their privacy at this time." 
Muamba's family, including his fiancee Shauna and his brother, have visited the player. 
 
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy issued a statement on the club's website (www.tottenhamhotspur.com) saying: "Our thoughts are with Fabrice's family and Bolton Wanderers and we are all willing him to pull through. Events such as this put everything into perspective. 

"We are immensely proud and grateful to the medical teams at both clubs, their response was immediate and professional. Our thanks also to both sets of fans for their support and behaviour. 

"Too often we read the negatives about football and yet last night, at a time of intense emergency and uncertainty, we saw the true humanity and empathy of the footballing family." 

Supporters from both clubs sang Muamba's name when it became apparent his condition was serious as several players gathered around him, some crying and holding their heads in their hands. 

As he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher there was applause from the crowd before the fans fell silent and filed out of the ground into the cold night air in sombre mood. 

"All our thoughts are with Fabrice, his family, Owen Coyle and the club," added Spurs manager Harry Redknapp. 

"It was the right decision to abandon the game, everybody was in a state of shock and it wouldn't have been right to carry on. Football is the last thing on anyone's mind when an awful situation such as this happens." 

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United players shared a minute's applause in support of Muamba before their Premier League match on Sunday. 

Muamba, who was born in Democratic Republic of Congo, joined Bolton from Birmingham City in 2008 in a deal worth over 5 million pounds ($7.92 million) and has made 130 league appearances for the Premier League club.    

He came through Arsenal's youth academy and made two League Cup appearances for the north London club in the 2005-06 season. 

Arsenal's England midfielder Jack Wilshere tweeted: "When I went to Bolton on loan (in 2009) I was just a kid moving away from home, I knew Fab from the U21's and I will never forget my 1st day, he showed me around the training ground, introduced me to everyone and basically looked after me. 

"If you know him then you will know what type of man he is! A leader and a genuinely nice guy! Everyone keep praying!"

EARLIER STORY

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba was critically ill in hospital after collapsing on the pitch during the FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. 

The match was abandoned at 1-1 just before halftime after the 23-year-old fell to the turf near the centre circle. 

"Bolton Wanderers can confirm that Fabrice Muamba has been admitted to The Heart Attack Centre at The London Chest Hospital where he is in a critically ill condition in intensive care," said a joint statement from Bolton and the hospital. 

"No further information will be issued at this stage. 

"The club and hospital request that the media and public respect the family's privacy at this time." 

No other player was involved in the incident and after a delay of several minutes referee Howard Webb took the teams off the field.  

Medics arrived on the pitch quickly and gave Muamba CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation), a Reuters eye witness said.  

A number of players gathered around Muamba, some crying and holding their heads in their hands. 

As he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher there were a few bursts of applause from the crowd at White Hart Lane before they fell silent. 

Muamba, born in Democratic Republic of Congo and an England Under-21 international, was taken to hospital. 

"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 in a statement. 
"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." 

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore also made a statement. 

"The thoughts of the Premier League, its clubs and players are with Fabrice Muamba, his family and Bolton Wanderers," he said. 

"We would like to praise the players, match officials, coaching staff and medical teams of both clubs at White Hart Lane for their swift actions in attending Fabrice. 
"The League would also like to commend the compassion shown by the fans of Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur. 

"We hope to hear positive news about Fabrice who is and has been a wonderful ambassador for the English game and the League at Arsenal, Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers." 

Tottenham passed on their best wishes. 

"Everyone at the club sends their best wishes to Fabrice Muamba and his family," Spurs said on their Twitter feed. 

Muamba joined Bolton from Birmingham City in 2008 in a deal worth over 5 million pounds ($7.9 million) and has made 130 league appearances for the club.  

He came through Arsenal's youth academy and made two League Cup appearances for the Gunners in the 2005-06 season.

Reaction on Twitter to Fabrice Muamba's collapse
 
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp: 

"Praying for Fabrice Muamba. A very very sad day. Hope the young lad pulls through." 
 
Arsenal captain Robin van Persie: 
"I'm so sad about what happened to Fabrice Muamba today. Played with him 4 a couple of years. What a great guy. Always a smile on his face." 
 
Former Bolton goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi: 
"All our hearts with Fabrice Muamba, one of my closest friends at Bolton.. Im shocked, wishing him a fast recovery." 
 
Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo dedicated his side's 5-0 win over Fiorentina to Muamba: 
"He's our colleague, we pray he gets well soon." 
 
Barcelona midfielder and former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas: 
"My thoughts are with Fabrice and his family. Stay strong mate. Our prayers are with you." 
 
Manchester United and England striker Wayne Rooney: 
"Hope fabrice muamba is ok. Praying for him and his family. Still in shock." 
 
Tottenham defender Kyle Walker, who scored in the match against Bolton to make it 1-1: 
"Doesn't matter who you support..Doesn't matter if you aren't a football fan. Doesn't matter if you aren't religious..Pray for Fabrice Muamba." 
 
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany: 
"Critically ill and intensive care" I really hope that this nightmare will be soon over and I wish for Fabrice Muamba to recover fully." 
 
Former Chelsea and Germany midfielder Michael Ballack: 
"We want to send our prayers to Fabrice Muamba, his family, his friends and all at Bolton Wanderers."  

English FA Cup results

Quarter-finals
Everton 1 (Cahill 23) Sunderland 1 (Bardsley 12)
Tottenham 1 (Walker 11) Bolton 1 (Bale 6-og) - match abandoned after 41 minutes

Playing Sunday
Chelsea v Leicester (1405GMT)
Liverpool v Stoke (1600GMT)
 

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