Fabrice Muamba remains critically ill but stable after cardiac arrest

Fabrice Muamba remains critically ill on Monday morning as he continues to fight for
his life after suffering a cardiac arrest during Bolton’s FA Cup
quarter-final tie at Tottenham on Saturday night.

Medical staff took two hours to get Muamba breathing again and he is
now being closely monitored in the Heart Attack Centre at The London
Chest Hospital.

A joint statement from Bolton, Barts and The NHS Trust at 9.30am on
Monday morning read: “Fabrice Muamba’s heart condition is stable, but
he remains critically ill in intensive care at The London Chest
Hospital. The family is grateful to the media for continuing to
respect their privacy at this time.”

Bolton’s manager Owen Coyle and the club’s chairman Phil Gartside
visited the hospital this morning. Coyle, who accompanied Muamba to
hospital, offered his personal thanks for the messages of support that
continue to be received, both at the hospital and the Reebok Stadium.

“From our end, and on behalf of the family, we want to say a big
thanks to everyone,” said Coyle. “We have been inundated by good
messages, everyone praying for Fabrice which is very important. It has
been a real source of strength for the family. We know how difficult a
time it is for everyone. I can’t really quantify it [the support]. It
has been incredible, not just from the football world, from everyone.

“It is great to be talented at football but it’s more important to be
a genuinely nice man and everyone recognises Fabrice is that. That has
pulled everyone together. We certainly hope he comes through this. If
he pulls through it would be marvellous, it really would.”

Gartside added his own tribute: “I know Fabrice’s family have been
overwhelmed by the huge outpouring of kindness, from people visiting
the hospital to leave cards to those sending messages and e-mails.

“The staff at the London Chest Hospital have been nothing short of
exceptional and I would like to thank them all at this ongoing
critical time. I ask for everybody to keep Fabrice in their prayers
and thoughts.”

The Premier League agreed to Bolton’s request for Tuesday’s planned
match with Aston Villa at Villa Park to be postponed. No new date has
been confirmed and it is still not clear when Saturday night’s game will be played.

Bolton’s next game is due to be in the Premier League, against local rivals and fellow relegation candidates Blackburn, at home on Saturday, although no decision will be made until much later in the week about whether that match can proceed.

After scoring in Chelsea’s FA Cup win over Leicester at Stamford Bridge yesterday, Muamba’s former Bolton team-mate Gary Cahill revealed a T-shirt with the message ‘Pray 4 Muamba’ printed on it.

Supporters at Wolves’ home game with Manchester United combined in a minute’s applause before kick-off.

The referee Howard Webb, whose prompt actions on Saturday, in addition to those of medical staff have received such praise, withdrew from fourth official duties at Wolves on the advice of a psychologist who works with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited

 http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/mar/19/fabrice-muamba-cardiac-arrest?newsfeed=true