Belgian goalkeeper Arne Espeel dies at age 25 after saving penalty
Posted Wednesday, February 15, 2023 by ESPN
Belgian goalkeeper Arne Espeel died after he collapsed on the pitch on Saturday moments after saving a penalty for his team. He was 25.
Winkel Sport B, who play in the second provincial division of West Brabant in Belgium, were 2-1 up against Westrozebeke when their opponents were awarded a penalty in the second half.
According to reports in Belgian media, Espeel saved the spot kick but dropped to the ground afterward. Emergency services rushed to help Espeel and tried to revive him with a defibrillator, but he was pronounced dead shortly after he was taken to a hospital.
The game was played at the club's home ground in Sint-Eloois-Winkel in the West Flanders Province.
"Winkel Sport is in very deep mourning by the sudden death of Arne Espeel," the club said in a statement.
"We wish family and friends of Arne our heartfelt condolences in this heavy loss. Football is an afterthought."
An autopsy was scheduled to have taken place on Monday to determine the cause of Espeel's death.
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