Sun 26 Aug, 12:09 PM

 

 

Sevilla may have started their Primera Liga campaign with a convincing win, but the health of stricken wing-back Antonio Puerta is the only thing the Andalusian club are concerned about at present.

Puerta was taken to hospital after collapsing midway through the first half of Saturday night's match against Getafe at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

The Spain international was able to walk from the pitch after being attended by medical staff, who prevented him swallowing his tongue, but then collapsed again in the changing rooms and was given cardiac resuscitation before being taken to hospital.

The first medical statement released by the Hospital Virgen del Rocio said the 22-year-old's condition was "very serious".

The statement read: "The player was admitted to the Hospital Virgen del Rocio at 2253 hours. He was transferred to the intensive care unit where he has been given assisted ventilation and is experiencing hemodynamic instability. The prognosis is very serious.

"Another medical report will not be given unless there is an incident during the night."

Sevilla coach Juande Ramos was in no mood to talk about his side's 4-1 win after the match, with all his thoughts being with Puerta.

"I don't have the mind to speak now. The reason I am here is because we are all professionals, but I have no desire to talk of the game or anything," Ramos said.

"I would like to see the player. The game does not have any importance compared with the health of a player."

Sevilla midfielder Renato Dirnei said: "We were very frightened, but the doctors knew what they were doing.

"It was difficult to continue playing. This victory is dedicated to Puerta."

 

source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com

 

:confused:

I hope that guy gets better.

Me too, i hope he can recover...Go Puerta!

I've watched the highlights of this game including this terrible scene on tv and I was totally shocked. Another example where you can see that there are more important things in life than football.

 

Reminded me first of Miklós Fehér who played for Benfica Lisbon and died on the pitch in 2004. :(

OMG, n-tv just says Puerta has died! :(

 

R.I.P. What a tragedy!

RIP Antonio :cry:

 

Unbelievably tragic news. An extremely fit 22 year old dieing of a heart attack.

 

My thoughts go out to his family..

And to make it worse; his girlfriend was due to have a baby next month :cry:

I was watching the game live when it happened. RIP

Sevilla's Puerta dies three days after collapse

 

Tue 28 Aug, 04:28 PM

 

 

view photo

 

MADRID (Reuters) - Sevilla midfielder Antonio Puerta died on Tuesday, three days after collapsing during a Primera Liga match.

The 22-year-old Spanish international had been in a critical condition in the Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville since being admitted on Saturday. The hospital confirmed his death.

Sevilla said that Puerta's body would be taken to the club's Sanchez Pizjuan stadium where fans could pay their respects and that the player would be buried on Thursday.

The player was due to become a father in under two months, Spanish media reported.

Puerta's condition has completely overshadowed the Sevilla squad's preparations for the Champions League third qualifying round second leg against AEK Athens in Greece on Tuesday.

The club's radio reported that UEFA had agreed to postpone the game and the Spanish Football League also called off the league game at Osasuna on Monday.

An AEK spokesman said the Champions League tie would be played on Monday September 3.

AC Milan, Sevilla's opponents in Friday's European Super Cup, expressed their condolences at the player's death, saying they were prepared to call off the game if necessary.

"AC Milan... grieve at the passing of Antonio Puerta and share the pain of our friends at Sevilla and the player's family," the club said in a statement.

"Milan are ready to stand by any decision adopted by UEFA about the playing or not of the European Super Cup."

Puerta collapsed after jogging back towards his own goal 35 minutes into the game against Getafe at the Sanchez Pizjuan on Saturday night.

Team mates and medical staff immediately rushed to his side and were seen preventing him from swallowing his tongue as he lost consciousness, but he was able to walk from the pitch.

Doctors said that he collapsed again in the changing rooms and had to be given cardiac resuscitation before being taken to hospital.

 

source: http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/

 

:cry: poor guy :( what a tragedy

R.I.P.

Wow...

 

Rest in Peace.

Very sad news, R.I.P.:cry:

 

Forever in our hearts Puerta.

very sad

he had illness before playing....how did the doctors and team staff dare to make him play?

 

R.I.P

Did he tell his team/doctors that he was ill?

this is really sad... RIP

its all very very sad.. he has a baby on the way

he had a prolonged Cardiac Arrest i have read, which aparently doesnt show up on most sporting physicals....

 

anyways, what a tragedy, such a promising young talent for Spain. It hurts me deeply, i am thinking of getting a Sevilla shirt with Puerta on the back in his honor.