Bolton's Muamba critical after collapsing in game

LONDON — Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba was critically ill in a hospital's heart attack unit on Saturday night after collapsing during am FA Cup quarterfinal at Tottenham.

Muamba fell face-down to the field near the midfield line without any players near him.

Medics rushed onto the field with a defibrillator and treated the 23-year-old, pumping his chest for around six minutes of treatment before he was rushed to hospital.

"Fabrice Muamba has been admitted to the heart attack center at London Chest Hospital where he is currently in a critically ill condition in intensive care," Bolton said in a statement about three hours later. "No further information will be issued at this stage. The club has requested the media to respect his family's privacy at this time."

When Muamba collapsed in the 41st minute, Bolton manager Owen Coyle shouted from the sideline: "He's just collapsed."

Tottenham players William Gallas and Louis Saha along with referee Howard Webb immediately called for medical support as the game was stopped and live television coverage turned away from Muamba.

Some distressed players appeared to be praying and tearful as fans chanted Muamba's name between periods of complete silence at White Hart Lane.

Muamba was carried off on a stretcher with an oxygen mask and with his chest still being pumped as the crowd applauded. All the players also left the field before Webb abandoned the match.

Coyle and forward Kevin Davies accompanied Muamba to a hospital, while the rest of the Bolton team returned to northwest England by train.

Former Arsenal teammate Johan Djourou wrote on Twitter that he had visited Muamba on Saturday night.

"Just left the hospital," he said. "Love you so much man! Keep fighting. Everybody please pray for him he's an amazing man and friend."

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe, who played in Saturday's match, tweeted: "God willing he will pull through."

Muamba's Bolton teammate Stuart Holden, who was watching the game on television, tweeted: "Praying for you Fab."

"The guy is a fighter on and off the field. We love you bro," he added. "Waiting anxiously for updates from teammates."

Muamba was born in what was then called Zaire on April 6, 1988. His father left the country for England because of political turmoil and his son joined him in 1999.

"This is my adopted country," Fabrice Muamba said last year. "People have helped me, welcomed me with open arms and given me this opportunity. I'm earning a more than decent living and leading a comfortable life. I'm very appreciative of that."

The path to a professional soccer career started when he joined Arsenal's youth academy in 2002.

He made his debut at age 17 on Oct. 25, 2005, in the League Cup at Sunderland, and was loaned to Birmingham in the League Championship the following season. The loan was made permanent in May 2007, and he made his Premier League debut for Birmingham in 2007-08 before joining Bolton in June 2008.

"I seriously hope my best friend in football is OK. Stay strong bro please please stay strong," said Middlesbrough defender Justin Hoyte, who came through the Arsenal youth team with Muamba.

Muamba, a father of one, has been part of England's youth team system and was a member of its team at last year's European Under-21 Championship, where he came on as a substitute against Ukraine and started against the Czech Republic.