Belgian goalkeeper Arne Espeel died during the second half of his match on Saturday at the age of 25.
Espeel, who played for Winkel Sport B in Belgium’s West Brabant provincial second division, saved a penalty kick but then collapsed to the ground, according to Belgian media.
Despite medical personnel treating him with a defibrillator, he was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
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A Belgian goalkeeper dies after collapsing on the pitch. (Adam Davy – PA Images via Getty Images)
«Winkel Sport is in deep mourning for the sudden passing of Arne Espeel,» the club said in a statement. «We wish Arne’s family and friends our deepest condolences on this great loss. Football is an afterthought.»
«This is a disaster and a shock to everyone,» team manager Patrick Rotsaert added via The Independent. «Arne had been at the club all his life and was very loved. He was a wonderfully likeable boy, always in a good mood and willing to help. This is really a blow. First of all for his family and also for all our club». .»
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Espeel’s family and teammates were among 1,000 mourners Monday during a silence walk in Sint-Eloois-Winkel.
The results of the autopsy have not yet been released. (Kieran Cleeves/PA Images via Getty Images)
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An autopsy was scheduled for Monday, but the results have not been released, according to Reuters.
Associated Press contributed to this report.