Belgian goalkeeper Arne Espeel has died aged 25 after collapsing during a football match minutes after saving a penalty to an amateur team.
He is part of the Winkel Sport B team, which are playing in the provincial second division of West Brabant in Belgium, against Westrozbeke in Saturday’s game.
His team took a 2-1 lead as Westrozebeke was awarded a penalty in the second half.
Belgian media reported that Espeel saved the penalty but fell to the ground shortly after.
Emergency services attempted to revive Espeel with a defibrillator but he was pronounced dead shortly after being taken to hospital.
The match was held at Winkel Sport’s home ground in Sint-Eloois-Winkel in the West Province of Flanders.
“Winkel Sport deeply mourns the sudden death of Arne Espeel,” the club said in a statement.
“We extend our deepest condolences to Arne’s family and friends for this heavy loss. Football is something that can be rethought.”
An autopsy was scheduled for Monday to determine the cause of Espeel’s death.
According to the Het Nieuwsblad newspaper, more than 1,000 people turned out to pay their respects to Espeel on Monday night.
