Belgian goalkeeper Arne Espeel died on Saturday, collapsing on a soccer pitch just moments after making a save on a penalty kick, Reuters reported, citing local outlets. He was 25. Espeel’s amateur club, Winkel Sport B, was up over rival team Westrozebeke 2-1 early in the second half of the match when he made the save. Emergency personnel rushed onto the pitch after his collapse, attempting to revive him with a defibrillator. He was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
According to The Brussels Times, Espeel saved the spot kick but dropped to the ground afterward. Medics attempted to revive him on the field with a defibrillator, but he was pronounced dead shortly after he was taken to the hospital.
The match was being played at the Winkel Sport B’s home ground in Sint-Eloois-Winkel in the West Flanders Province.
“Winkel Sport is in very deep mourning by the sudden death of Arne Espeel,” the club said in a statement.
“We wish the family and friends of Arne our heartfelt condolences in this heavy loss. Football is an afterthought.”
No cause of death has been determined, according to Reuters, which reported that Espeel’s autopsy was scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13.
“Winkel Sport is in very deep mourning by the sudden death of Arne Espeel,” the club said in a statement. “We wish family and friends of Arne our heartfelt condolences in this heavy loss. Football is an afterthought.” An autopsy was set to take place Monday to confirm the cause of Espeel’s death.
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