Medics fought for two-hours to restart Muamba's heart

Players react as Bolton Wanderers' Fabrice Muamba is resuscitated Credit: Reuters

Bolton Wanderers footballer Fabrice Muamba is still in a critical condition in intensive care after collapsing during an FA Cup tie.

  • Doctors have confirmed he suffered a cardiac arrest

  • Paramedics could not get his heart to start beating on its own for almost two hours

  • Began beating when he reached London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green

In a statement his club said he "remains anaesthetised" in intensive care at the London Chest Hospital after falling to the ground at White Hart Lane in front of millions of television viewers.

It happened during the sixth-round tie between Tottenham Hotspur and his club, Bolton Wanderers.

Club manager Owen Coyle thanked fans for their support:

Fans waiting to hear news yesterday after Fabrice Muamba collapsed Credit: Reuters

A joint statement from the hospital and Bolton Wanderers read:

Tottenham Hotspur coaching staff look on as medical staff attend to Fabrice Muamba on the pitch Credit: Reuters

Chief Executive of the Professional Footballers' Association, Gordon Taylor, told ITV News that the fans' reaction to Muamba showed the positive side of football.

Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Paul Scholes and Jonathan Evans joined the applause for Fabrice Muamba during their Barclays Premier League match at Molineux today.

A minute's applause before the Manchester United Premier League tie against Wolverhampton Wanderers Credit: Press Association

Fans have left flowers, shirts and scarves at Bolton's Reebok stadium close to the players' entrance. One message written on a card with a Manchester United emblem on it read: "Our thoughts and prayers are with you. One game, one family."