Muamba discharged from hospital

Updated April 17, 2012 07:24:12

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba was discharged from the London Chest Hospital on Monday and said he would be forever in debt to the doctors who saved his life.

Muamba has made a miraculous recovery after being described by his club doctor as "in effect dead" for 78 minutes following a cardiac arrest during his side's FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham Hotspur last month.

The 24-year-old needed 15 defibrillator shocks to restart his heart after collapsing on the White Hart Lane pitch on March 17.

"I am naturally very pleased to be discharged from hospital and would like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to every single member of staff at The London Chest Hospital who have played a part in my care," he said in a statement.

"Their dedication, professionalism and expertise is simply amazing and I will forever be in their debt. I also wish to say thank you to all the many well-wishers who have sent thousands of messages of support.

"Now I am out of hospital, I am looking forward to continuing my recovery and spending precious time with my family."

Muamba's hospital exit comes days after Livorno's Piermario Morosini died after suffering a cardiac arrest during an Italian second division game at Pescara on Saturday.

The 25-year-old former Italy Under-21 international collapsed in the 31st minute and was pronounced dead after his arrival at hospital.

Former England striker Trevor Francis was also discharged from hospital on Monday after he suffered a suspected heart attack last week.

The 57-year-old, who was the first player in English football to cost 1 million pounds ($1.53m) when he joined Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest in 1979, was admitted to a hospital on Friday and had surgery to fit an arterial stent.

A spokesman for Birmingham Heartlands Hospital said he was discharged on Monday afternoon.

Francis began his professional career at Birmingham City in 1971 and went on to score the winning goal in the 1979 European Cup final against Malmo for Forest, as well as winning 52 caps for his country.

Reuters/AFP

Tags: sport, soccer, english-premier, england

First posted April 17, 2012 06:19:11

View the original article here

Ill Houllier recovering in hospital

Updated April 21, 2011 19:20:00

Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier was recovering in hospital on Thursday after being taken ill the night before.

The 63-year-old Frenchman is said to be in a comfortable condition and was well enough to speak to the Premier League club's chief executive Paul Faulkner.

But he could be kept in hospital for a few days and assistant boss Gary McAllister is likely to be in charge for Saturday's home clash with Stoke.

McAllister was also expected to take charge of training on Thursday.

Villa made no immediate comment but were set to release a statement later Thursday on Houllier's condition.

Houllier had open heart surgery in October 2001 while he was managing Liverpool, after suffering severe chest pains during a match against Leeds.

When he took the position at Villa, Houllier revealed he had consulted his heart surgeon before accepting the job.

He said he had returned to speak to Dr Abbas Rashid, the man who led the team who performed an 11-hour operation on the Frenchman, and was given a clean bill of health.

He has had a rocky ride this season with some Villa supporters calling for him to be sacked, but results have improved in recent weeks and Villa have climbed into the top half of the Premier League.

Current Liverpool boss Kenny Daglish revealed that his club's former doctor was at the hospital with Houllier.

"Of course our thoughts are with him," Dalglish said.

"We don't know too much about it and there is no point in us being speculative but your health is more important than anything, so we wish him well.

"Doc (Mark) Waller is there, who was the club doctor here when Gerard fell ill in 2001, so he's got a good guy beside him and I'm sure the people there will do everything they can to help."

Tony Pulis, manager of FA Cup finalists Stoke, also sent Houllier his best wishes ahead of Stoke's visit to Villa Park this weekend and admitted the pressure of leading a top Premier League club can get to anyone.

"Everyone in football will wish Gerard a swift recovery, we hope he is well. I don't know how bad it is but I am sure he will get well looked after," Pulis said.

"Pressure is part of the job, you get used to it. Irrespective of what medical care you get, nothing stops you from getting excited on the touchline or carrying the pressure on your shoulders if things aren't going too well.

"If it's just happened, Gerard will have the team prepared and Gary McAllister works closely with Gerard so there shouldn't be too much disruption for them."

- AFP

First posted April 21, 2011 18:44:00

View the original article here