BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Belgian goalkeeper Arne Espeel died aged 25 after he collapsed on the pitch moments after saving a penalty for an amateur team.
Winkel Sport B, who play in the second provincial division of West Brabant in Belgium, were 2-1 up against Westrozebeke when their opponents were awarded a penalty in the second half.
According to reports in Belgian media, Espeel saved the spot kick but dropped to the ground immediately afterwards. Emergency services rushed to help Espeel and tried to revive him with a defibrillator but he was pronounced dead shortly after he was taken to a hospital.
The game was played at the club’s home ground in Sint-Eloois-Winkel in the West Flanders Province.