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In a sad yet shocking incident during a match in a football league in Belgium, 25-year-old goalkeeper Arne Espeel passed away after collapsing on the pitch while playing for an amateur team.
The news was reported by media outlet Reuters and the Belgian media, which said that Espeel had saved the spot kick but fell to the ground immediately afterwards. According to reports, more than 1,000 people turned up to pay tribute to the departed footballer, who used to play for Winkel Sport B.
“This is a disaster and a shock to everyone. Arne had been with the club all his life and was very loved. He was a wonderfully sympathetic boy, always in a good mood and ready to help. This is really a heavy blow. First of all for his family and our whole club,” said Patrick Rotsaert, sporting director of Winkel.
The club Winkel Sport B, who play in the second provincial division of West Brabant in Belgium, were winning the match 2-1 against Westrozebeke when their opponents were awarded a penalty in the second half. Their goalkeeper saved the penalty and also kept his team in the lead as well, before the heart attack that ended his life at the ripe age of 25
“Winkel Sport is in very deep mourning by the sudden death of Arne Espeel. We wish the family and friends of Arne our heartfelt condolences in this heavy loss. Football is an afterthought,” the club said in a statement.
