Falmer: Fabrice Muamba Visits Amex
17 December 2013, 21:39
The Former Arsenal, Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers player Fabrice Muamba, had his career cut short after a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup match in March 2012.
Today (Tues 17th Dec) he met youths at Brighton & Hove Albion's Football Academy to promote the importance of preparing for life after football.
Fabrice is launching a ground-breaking new partnership between the Academy and LoveLocalJobs.com to give young players the necessary skills to succeed in employment when their football careers end, for whatever reason.
Hear our interview with Fabrice
Muamba began his career in 2002, joining Arsenal's youth academy. After three years, he turned professional in 2005. He made his debut for Arsenal in the League Cup, but played only one other professional match for the club. Following a loan spell with Birmingham City, he made the move permanent in 2007. He stayed with Birmingham City for one additional year, and left after making more than 70 appearances and making his England under-21 debut while with the team. He joined Bolton Wanderers in 2008.
On 17 March 2012, Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed during the first half of an FA Cup quarter-final match between Bolton and Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. After receiving lengthy attention on the pitch from medical personnel – including a consultant cardiologist who was at the game as a fan – Muamba was taken to the specialist coronary care unit at the London Chest Hospital.
Bolton's club doctor later confirmed that Muamba had received numerous defibrillator shocks both on the pitch and in the ambulance, but his heart had stopped for 78 minutes. The player was initially kept under anaesthetic in intensive care. By 19 March, his heart was beating without medication and he was able to move his limbs. Later that day his condition was described as "serious" rather than "critical" and he was able to recognise family members and respond appropriately to questions.
Two weeks after the incident, a photograph was released of Muamba sitting up in his hospital bed and smiling. He was discharged from hospital on 16 April, having been fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD). Muamba attended Bolton's home match against Tottenham Hotspur on 2 May, where he expressed his gratitude for the support he had received.
On 15 August 2012, Bolton announced that Muamba had retired from professional football, based on the recommendation of his medical team. He's now at doing a University Course in Sports Journalism.