(CNN) — Belgian goalkeeper Arne Espiel has died at the age of 25, following falling to the ground following a penalty kick he saved during a match last Saturday.
Espel previously played for Winkel Sport B, which plays in the second regional division of West Brabant in Belgium.
According to reports in the Belgian media, including the newspaper “Het Nieuwsblad”, Winkel Sport B was 2-1 ahead of its counterpart Vchteruchbeck, before the latter were awarded a penalty in the second half.
Goalkeeper Arne Espel saved the penalty kick, then celebrated with great enthusiasm, before collapsing immediately followingwards, according to the Belgian newspaper “Het Nieuwsblad”.
Emergency services rushed to the pitch to try to help Isbel with a pacemaker, but he was pronounced dead shortly following.
According to Archyde.com, an autopsy was scheduled for Monday evening to determine the cause of his death, but the results were not released.
Belgian media reported that Arne Espel’s younger brother, Aaron, was on the bench for the match.
Winkle Sport paid tribute to the late Arne Espel in a statement, saying: “Winkel Sport is deeply saddened by the sudden death of Winkle Sport B goalkeeper, Arne Espel.”
The club added: “We wish Arnie’s family and friends our deepest sympathies at this terrible loss.”
More than a thousand people paid tribute to Arne Espel at a memorial for the goalkeeper on Monday night.
“This is a catastrophe and a shock to everyone,” Winkle club director Patrick Rotsaert told Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. Really a big blow, first and foremost for his family but also for our entire club.”
