After brilliantly saving the opponent’s penalty, goalkeeper Arne Espeel collapsed on the field motionless and died following being taken to the hospital. It happened in the Belgian Second Division.
Goalkeeper Arne Espeel is 25 years old this year, plays for Winkel Sport B club in Belgium’s West Brabant Provincial Second Division. In the last week’s round, Winkel Sport B took on Westrozebeke at home in Sint-Eloois-Winkel, West Flanders province.
Winkel Sport B led the opponent 2-1 in the first half and heartbreaking happened shortly following the second half started when the referee awarded the away team Westrozebeke a penalty.
According to the Belgian press, Arne Espeel successfully saved the opponent’s shot. This goalkeeper continued to rush to hug the ball in the second beat, he fell and lay motionless.
The medical force on the field immediately ran into the field to give first aid with a defibrillator. Arne Espeel was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.
An autopsy has been scheduled to determine the cause of Espeel’s death.
Winkel Sport B CEO Patrick Rotsaert said: “This is a disaster and a shock to everyone. Arne has been with the club all his life and is very much loved. He’s a great player, always happy and ready to help people.”
More than 1,000 fans of this football team and Arne Espeel’s family organized a silent march in his memory in Sint-Eloois-Winkel.
