A month after Damar Hamlin’s unexpected collapse in a high-profile NFL game, another soccer player has tragically passed away in a similar manner.
Arne Espeel was a goalkeeper for Winkel Sport B in the second division of West Brabant. During Saturday’s match against Westrozebeke, a penalty kick was called in favor of the opposing team.
Espeel, 25, managed to save the shot, however, he suddenly fell down and didn’t get back up. Stefaan Dewerchin, an assistant to the team, said it was a terrible sight.
Emergency responders tried using a defibrillator to resuscitate the goalkeeper, but he was later pronounced dead in the hospital.
Winkel Sport expressed deep sorrow over Espeel’s death and said that football was now insignificant in comparison. An autopsy will be conducted on Monday.