Sint-Eloois-Shop (Belgium) – Bad scenes on Saturday in the Belgian amateur league! Goalkeeper Arne Espeel († 25) dies in the KVC Winkel Sport B game. Shortly before that he saved a penalty.
At just 25 years old, Arne Espeel died suddenly and unexpectedly in the middle of the field. © IMAGO / ZUMA Press
Shortly after the start of the second half, the referee awarded the guests from Westrozebeke a penalty when the score was 2:1. Goalkeeper Espeel saved Mohammed El Baghdadi’s penalty before the drama began.
According to “ostbelgiendirekt.be”, the 25-year-old collapsed immediately after the parade and lay trembling on the ground – cardiac arrest!
The rescue workers immediately rushed onto the field and tried to revive the keeper with a defibrillator. Unsuccessful! Shortly after his admission to the hospital, the doctors can only determine death.
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Particularly tragic: His younger brother Aaron (20) was back on the bench for the first time after an injury and had to watch his own brother die on the pitch.
The game was canceled.
Meanwhile, the KVC Winkel Sport B team is in shock.
“We are all very depressed. He has played with us since we were young and was particularly popular with everyone. It is incomprehensible that something like this can happen to such a young man. It is a catastrophe and a shock for all of us,” said the team in a statement.
The team, coaching staff and board of directors met on Sunday afternoon to talk about the terrible incident. The association tried to provide psychological help for the players.
“We went for a little walk and had a drink. It was very quiet and peaceful. It was even very quiet at times, but the beautiful memories of Arne were awakened. Emotions were given free rein,” said board member Bruno Grymonprez.