Belgian goalkeeper Arne Espeel died after he collapsed on the pitch on Saturday moments after saving a penalty for his team. He was 25.
Winkel Sport B, who play in the second provincial division of West Brabant in Belgium, were 2-1 up against Westrozebeke when their opponents were awarded a penalty in the second half.
As per reports in Belgian media, Espeel saved the spot kick yet dropped to the ground a while later. Crisis administrations hurried to help Espeel and attempted to resuscitate him with a defibrillator, yet he was articulated dead soon after he was taken to an emergency clinic. A reason for death isn’t yet known.
“This is a disaster and a shock to everyone,” Winkel sporting director Patrick Rotsaert said, according to Nieuwsblad.
“Arne had been with the club all his life and was very loved. He was a wonderfully sympathetic boy, always in a good mood and ready to help. This is really a heavy blow. First of all for his family and also our whole club.”
The game was played at the club’s home ground in Sint-Eloois-Winkel in the West Flanders Region.
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Loved ones assembled at the field to lay blossoms and wreaths in the objective where Espeel imploded, as per the Everyday Mail. Espeel’s colleagues were additionally present for the function.
“The ball was still in play. Our goalkeeper got up as quick as conceivable to get the ball, however at that point he fell,” colleague mentor Stefaan Dewerchin said, by means of the Day to day Mail.
“It was truly horrendous to watch. Every one of the players showered together after the episode. At the point when the message came that our goalkeeper was dead, it was a curiously weighty blow. I think a few players actually don’t understand precisely exact thing occurred.”
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A post-mortem was planned to have occurred on Monday to decide the reason for Espeel’s demise.
“Winkel Game is in exceptionally profound grieving by the unexpected demise of Arne Espeel,” the club said in a proclamation.
“We wish loved ones of Arne our sincere sympathies in this weighty misfortune. Football is an untimely idea.”