Muamba's recovery is a miracle, insists FIFA President Blatter

By Andrew Warshaw in Istanbul

March 22 – FIFA President Sepp Blatter (pictured) today described the remarkable recovery of stricken Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba as “a miracle” saying it rekindled memories of the tragic death of Cameroon’s Marc-Vivien Foe nine years ago.

As Muamba continues to slowly improve in a London hospital after it was revealed his heart stopped beating for 78 minutes when he collapsed at Tottenham’s White Hart Lane stadium on Saturday (March 17), Blatter revealed he had watched the drama on television and suggested divine intervention played a part.

“It’s a miracle,” Blatter told reporters during a break here at the UEFA Congress.

“When I saw it on television, it was terrible.

“I am a deeply faithful man, a religious man, and I believe there is something more than just playing the game.

“There is somebody who looks after us.”

Blatter revealed that he had taken a call from Bolton chairman Phil Gartside.

“I have to say it was a very emotional call,” he said.

“He was very emotional, and I was emotional as well.

“I told him the story of how I brought back Foe to Cameroon, how I accompanied him until his funeral.”

Foe died aged just 28 after collapsing on the pitch during a Confederations Cup semi-final against Colombia in June 2003

Blatter said the Muamba case illustrated the need for rigorous and more frequent testing.

“This player had heart screening last year and it should be done for everyone, in repetition but especially for those in competition in football or other sports,” he said.

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