By David Gold
September 3 – Swedish player Victor Brännström died yesterday after collapsing during a second division match between Piteå and Umedalens.
The 29-year-old had previously retired from the sport after collapsing during another match, but tests had not shown up any heart problems.
He therefore continued to play for the second division team Piteå, and had scored just minutes into the match before he sat down suddenly and slumped over, Norrländska Socialdemokraten reported.
Despite attempts from club staff to administer CPR, ambulances arrived and took Brännström (pictured top) to hospital where he was pronounced dead.
“It is completely incomprehensible,” said Piteå vice-chairman Christer Berglund.
“It is so tragic.
“This is the hardest thing I have experienced.
“We did not persuade him to make a comeback – Victor wanted to play himself.
“He trained and it went well for him.”
A post mortem will be carried out to determine the precise cause of the player’s sudden death.
Brännström’s death is the latest in a number of tragic incidents in recent months.
Indian player D Venkatesh collapsed and died during a local league match in Bangalore in March and a month later the Italian Piermario Morosini suffered a cardiac arrest during a Serie B game between his Livorno team and Pescara.
Also this year, Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup match against Tottenham Hotspur and although he was effectively dead for 72 minutes his heart was eventually restarted.
He was, however, forced to retire from the sport as a result, despite making a miraculous recovery.
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