[michael21]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...ac-arrest.html

AN Indian footballer died while taking part in a local league game in the southern city of Bangalore.

Bangalore Mars midfielder Venkatesh, 27, had taken the field as a 73rd minute substitute but suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed towards the end of the match.

Reports claim no ambulance was available and he had to be taken to hospital on a three-wheel auto-rickshaw.

The Times of India quoted Dr Ajith Benedict Royan of Hosmat Hospital as saying: "There was no pulse or respiration.

"We gave him CPR and defibrillator shocks, but it was too late.

"There were no external injuries. This is also known as Sudden Death Syndrome, which is common among footballers.

"Maybe if he had been given oxygen or proper medical care at the time of the incident, he could have stood a chance."

The All India Football Federation issued a statement confirming Venkatesh had collapsed.

It read: "The AIFF prays for his departed soul. May he rest in peace."

The incident occurred just days after Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba collapsed while playing in an FA Cup tie at Tottenham.

Medics shocked Muamba's heart 15 times before it started beating normally again — 78 minutes after it stopped.

R.I.P. Venkatesh