Belgian Goalkeeper, 25, Dies After Collapsing on Pitch

Arne Espeel collapsed moments after saving a penalty kick, and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a hospital.

Belgian goalkeeper Arne Espeel, who plays for Winkel Sport B, died on Saturday after collapsing on the field following a saved penalty kick. He was 25.

Espeel saved the kick and fell to the ground shortly afterward, according to Belgian media. Medical personnel attempted to revive him with a defibrillator, but he was taken to a local hospital and pronounced dead shortly after arriving.

“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 for Monday, per Reuters, to determine the cause of death.