By Xinhua
Madrid : Antonio Puerta, a 22-year-old defender at Spanish soccer club Sevilla, died in hospital four days after passing out during a soccer match due to heart problems.
Seville’s Virgen del Rocio Hospital, had told media persons early Tuesday that his condition was “very critical” and that he was showing “unfavourable” progress.
Puerta’s brain had been repeatedly without oxygen after he suffered several heart and lung system failures, which damaged his vital organs, the hospital said.
Puerta, who also plays for the Spanish national team, fainted Saturday at the Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium 35 minutes into Sevilla’s 4-1 win over Getafe.
Puerta was treated by team medics on the pitch and managed to leave the field unassisted, but fainted again in the dressing room and was revived with electric shocks before being rushed to hospital.
The European football governing body UEFA postponed Tuesday night’s Champions League third round match when Greek team AEK Athens were due to host Sevilla and Spain’s La Liga put back a Seville-Osasuna weekend fixture.
Doctors said he had suffered four heart attacks in rapid succession: on the field, in the dressing room and twice in the ambulance on the way to hospital.