Paris, 26 June 2003 -Cameroon player Marc-Vivien Foé died after losing consciousness during the semi-final match in the FIFA Confederations Cup France 2003 between Cameroon and Colombia on Thursday 26 June in Lyon.
The 28-year-old Cameroon and Manchester City midfielder collapsed to the ground in the second half, around the 72nd minute, for no apparent reason.
The player was still alive when he was taken to the medical centre in Gerland stadium in Lyon, where he died. Doctors performed cardiac resuscitation for 45 minutes without success. “It is too early to determine the exact causes of his death,” announced FIFA delegation doctor Alfred Müller.
“FIFA and the whole football family are shattered by this unbelievable tragedy,” declared President Joseph S. Blatter, who heard the news at the same time as the France and Turkey teams and fans at the Stade de France. “On their behalf, I wish to convey our sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones, to Cameroon football and his club, and express all our support at this painful time. Football has lost a remarkable player and a remarkable man.”
President of the Organising Committee for the FIFA Confederations Cup Chuck Blazer declared he is “in a state of shock”. “I am stunned by the news of his death. Marc-Vivien Foé was one of the leading lights in the Cameroon side which has played brilliantly since the start of the competition. This evening my thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
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*Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
That's a tragedy. First time I've heard of a football player dying on the pitch.
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It's really very sad. In the news they were saying it really was the first time in history that a player died during an official FIFA match.
The players of Cameroon have dedicated Sunday's final to him and will all have with his name on their shirts.
Winfried Schäfer (Cameroon's coach) gave a press conference, where he said that he wanted to bring in a substitute player for Foè just minutes before he had collapsed. He had seen that his player was not feeling alright, but Foè himself refused to be substituted and told Schäfer that he was fine.
France won it 1-0 (a golden goal by Henry in extra time), but the result was the least important thing in today's match.
The French players were obviously not looking as happy, as you would normally be after winning a major international tournament. A big poster with Marc-Vivien's picture was placed in the ceremony area and the cup was received by both captains together: Marcel Desailly (France) and Rigobert Song (Cameroon).
The crowd went "Foé Foé Foé" all the time. Obviously it was all very emotional.