The sudden collapse of Bolton Wanderers player Fabrice Muamba in this evening’s FA Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur has sent shockwaves across Twitter.
Muamba suddenly went down towards the end of the first half, apparently with no one around him. Paramedics then tried to resuscitate the footballer for ten minutes, before he was stretchered off the field.
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The Bolton and Tottenham payers were then called back into the changing rooms by referee Howard Webb, before the match was abandoned.
Muamba, White Hart Lane (the stadium at which the match was being played), and #Prayformuamba were all trending globally as people around the world registered what had happened.
While there was some uncertainty around what had caused Muamba to go down, there was an outpouring of support for the 23-year-old player:
I’m hearing that Fabrice Muamba wasn’t breathing when he was stretchered off. This seriously doesn’t look good. #PrayForMuamba
— Waleed Abu Nada (@waleedabunada) March 17, 2012
Fabrice Muamba collapsed on the pitch and has had to be rushed to hospital. Game has been abandoned. Hope he pulls through #PrayForMuamba
— Steven Gerrard (@Gerrard8FanPage) March 17, 2012
For someone as fit as Muamba to suffer a heart attack on the pitch shows that life can be taken from u anytime. What a sad day.
— I.Z. Reloaded (@izreloaded) March 17, 2012
Watching sport is an almost impossible task now on a day like today. Thoughts with Fabrice Muamba, such an enjoyable footballer to watch.
— Jonathan Overend (@5livetennis) March 17, 2012
This is when football comes united and one big team #prayformuamba
— josh trask (@joshtrask) March 17, 2012
#prayformuamba so tragic when something like this happens, hoping he comes through.
— George Mills (@georgeamills) March 17, 2012
RT @Frimponged: Muamba (23), former Arsenal player and a father of a son. This is horrible. Stay with us, Fabrice Muamba! #PRAYFORMUAMBA
— Alex Henderson (@hendo83) March 17, 2012
Can’t believe I just saw Muamba collapse and struggle for his life on live tv. Truly hope he’ll be ok. #PrayforMuamba
— Jessie Engelhart (@Jessiengelhart) March 17, 2012
That was the most horrific thing I have ever seen, I feel completely sick. #prayformuamba please pull through
— Richard Rabin (@richierabs) March 17, 2012
If positive thoughts are enough to help then surely there are enough being shown for Muamba to pull through.#PrayForMuamba
— Libby (@LibbyJHarvey) March 17, 2012
Others remembered players who had serious on-pitch collpases before:
Many Motherwell fans will remember when Phil O’Donnell collapsed on the pitch – hope #Muamba pulls through
— Alan Fisher (@AlanFisher) March 17, 2012
Prayers and thoughts with Fabrice #Muamba. Reminds me of Amigo #AntonioPuerta.
— Al Abe Natai (@NataiTheMaasai) March 17, 2012
Ordinary Tweeters were joined by high-profile members of the footballing fraternity in the outpouring of emotion for Muamba:
Come on Fabrice Muamba, praying for you.
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) March 17, 2012
Just heard the sad news about Fabrice Muamba. My thoughts are with him and his family right now. Puts everything in to perspective
— Joseph Barton (@Joey7Barton) March 17, 2012
Hope fabrice muamba is ok. Praying for him and his family.Still in shock.
— Wayne Rooney (@WayneRooney) March 17, 2012
Pray for fab god willing he will pull through #PrayForMuamba
— Jermain Defoe (@IAmJermainDefoe) March 17, 2012
Todos estamos contigo Fabrice #PrayForMuamba “@chelseafc: Thoughts and prayers of all at Chelsea are with Fabrice Muamba and his family”
— Juan Mata García (@juanmata10) March 17, 2012
My hart goes out 2 Fabrice Muamba, his family and team mates at Bolton. Terrible what happened . Keep praying
— Nigel de Jong (@NDJ_Official) March 17, 2012
Unbelievable what happenedtoday!! Fabrice Muamba my thoughts are with you and your family. I will keep praying and hope you will be ok!!!
— Dirk Kuyt (@Dirk_18_Kuyt) March 17, 2012
Terrible what happened with Muamba during the game. We’re all praying for him.
— Rafael van der Vaart (@rafvdvaart) March 17, 2012
An image of Tottenham player Rafael van der Vaart praying for Muamba is among the most popular currently on Twitter:
It appears that Muamba may have had a heart attack, although it has not been confirmed. A live stream from the BBC said that Muamba had been rushed to hospital where staff were still trying to resuscitate him.
Some time later Sky News reported that the footballer was in a stable condition.
Mumaba was born in the DRC, but moved to England in 1999. He moved to Bolton after having played for Arsenal and Birmingham City and has represented England from Under 16 to Under 21 age group levels.
Footage has since emerged of Muamaba lying on the pitch after his collapse (contains distressing imagery).
Update: The BBC reports that Muamba is now being treated in the intensive care unit of the heart attack centre at the London Chest Hospital. His condition remains critical.
