Arne Espeel, a Belgian goalkeeper, has passed away at the age of 25. He collapsed during a football match just seconds after saving a penalty for an amateur team.
He was part the Winkel Sport B team, which is playing in the second province division of West Brabant, Belgium, against Westrozbeke on Saturday.
His team was leading 2-1 when Westrozebeke was penalized in the second period.
Belgian media reported Espeel had saved the spot kick, but fell to the ground right away.
Espeel was taken to the hospital by emergency services who attempted to revive him with a defibrillator.
The match was played at Winkel Sport’s Sint-Eloois-Winkel home in Sint-Eloois-Winkel, West Flanders Province.
“Winkel Sport is deeply grieving the sudden loss of Arne Espiel,” the club stated in a statement.
“We send our deepest condolences to Arne’s family and friends.” Football is an afterthought.
A Monday autopsy was planned to take place to determine the cause for Espeel’s sudden death.
According to the Het Nieuwsblad newspaper, more than 1000 people attended Espeel’s tribute on Monday evening.
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