By Victor Kanayo
It was a tragic end as 25-year-old goalkeeper, Arne Espeel, was confirmed dead after saving a penalty for his club in Belgium.
Espeel was said to have died from a heart attack, according to the Sun.
The incident, report said occurred on Saturday, when Espeel was in action for Winkel Sport B against Westrozebeke.
Confirming the unfortunate incident via a press statement, the club Winkel through its sporting director Patrick Rotsaert said, “Arne has played for us since he was a kid, and everybody really liked him.
“It’s impossible to understand how something like this could happen to someone so young.
“He had been a completely healthy young lad before,” said, adding, “This is a disaster and a shock for us all.”
He said Arne was a lovely guy, and was always ready to help others, describing the goalkeeper’s death as a bitter blow for the family and the entire club.
How the incident unfolded
The shot stopper’s side were leading 2-1 when the opposition were awarded a spot-kick early in the second half.
Espeel, however, managed to keep his team’s advantage as he correctly dived the right way to save the penalty.
But straight after celebrating, the footballer collapsed onto the turf in front of shocked players and the crowd.
Medics raced to the field to try to save the star as emergency services rushed to the scene.
However, Espeel was pronounced dead in the hospital.
The heartbreaking scenes unfolded in front of Espeel’s watching parents and his brother Aaron, who was on the subs’ bench for Winkel Sport.
