Fabrice Muamba Collapsed: Stopped Breathing For Two Hours

Fabrice Muamba, the Bolton Wanderers footballer, is still fighting for his life in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during his team's FA Cup game against Tottenham on Saturday evening (March 17, 2012).

Medical staff took two hours to get Muamba breathing again and he is now being monitored at the London chest hospital. A joint statement from Bolton and the NHS Trust on Monday morning read, "Fabrice Muamba's heart condition is stable, but he remains critically ill in intensive care at the London chest hospital. The family is grateful to the media for continuing to respect their privacy at this time". Bolton manager Owen Coyle visited the hospital just a couple of hours ago, and later offered his personal thanks to the messages of support from the club's fans, saying, "From our end, and on behalf of the family, we want to say a big thanks to everyone.We have been inundated by good messages, everyone praying for Fabrice which is very important. It has been a real source of strength for the family. We know how difficult a time it is for everyone". The Premier League has agreed to postpone Bolton's match with Aston Villa on Tuesday, with the players not thought to be in the right frame of mind following the tragedy.

Referee Howard Webb has been roundly praised for his prompt actions on Saturday, though he withdrew from fourth official duties the following day on the advice of a psychologist who works with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited.