Fabrice Muamba will remain in intensive care for at least the next 24 hours after the Bolton Wanderers midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest during yesterday's FA Cup tie at Tottenham Hotspur.
In a joint statement released this morning, the London Chest Hospital and the club said that Muamba's heart did start working again after he was carried from the pitch on a stretcher. However, the 23-year-old remains in a critical condition.
Latest statement
"Fabrice Muamba remains in a critical condition in intensive care in the Heart Attack Centre at the London Chest Hospital," said the statement.
"He was admitted to the hospital yesterday evening after collapsing at White Hart Lane, where he sustained a cardiac arrest during the FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham. Fabrice received prolonged resuscitation at the ground and on route to the London Chest Hospital, where his heart eventually started working.
"As is normal practice, Fabrice remains anaesthetised in intensive care and will be for at least 24 hours. His condition continues to be closely monitored by cardiac specialists at the hospital." Muamba's family visited the former England Under-21 international today.
Muamba was rushed to hospital last night after he collapsed near the end of the first half of his side's FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham. Manager Owen Coyle, chairman Phil Gartside and club captain Kevin Davies were among those who accompanied Muamba to hospital.
Coyle offered an update on the player's progress yesterday evening. "Fabrice is critically ill. The next 24 hours are going to be absolutely crucial."
He continued: "We've obviously been inundated with people wishing him well and we hope that if everybody can pray strongly tonight that Fabrice is able to recover. It's very serious. There's no getting away from that. He's critically ill and God willing he makes it through."
It's very serious. There's no getting away from that. He's critically ill and God willing he makes it through.
Owen Coyle on Fabrice Muamba
The club last night released a statement which read: "Bolton Wanderers can confirm that Fabrice Muamba has been admitted to the heart attack centre at London Chest hospital where he is currently in a critically ill condition in intensive care.
"No further information will be issued at this stage. The club has requested the media to respect his family's privacy at this time."
Muamba, who is a father of one, underwent six minutes of treatment amid worrying scenes at White Hart Lane. He was wearing an oxygen mask and was then rushed to the London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green in east London. Referee Howard Webb abandoned the match.
Both sets of fans sang Muamba's name as he lay on the pitch at the north London ground. The announcement that the game had been called off was greeted with a round of applause from both ends.
Tottenham released a statement following the incident that read: "Tottenham can confirm that Fabrice Muamba has been taken to hospital following his collapse on the pitch during the match at White Hart Lane this evening. The match was immediately abandoned. Everyone at the club sends their best wishes to Fabrice and his family."
Praise for medical staff
Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore sent his organisation's best wishes to Muamba and his family, as well as paying tribute to the medical staff at the ground.
He said: "The thoughts of the Premier League, its clubs and players are with Fabrice Muamba, his family and Bolton Wanderers. We would like to praise the players, match officials, coaching staff and medical teams of both clubs at White Hart Lane for their swift actions in attending Fabrice.
"The League would also like to commend the compassion shown by the fans of Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur. We hope to hear positive news about Fabrice, who is and has been a wonderful ambassador for the English game and the League at Arsenal, Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers."
Football Association chairman David Bernstein said: "On behalf of The FA, I would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Fabrice Muamba and his family this evening. Fabrice has played 33 times for England U-21s, captaining Stuart Pearce's side during this time and is a player, and more importantly, a person we care greatly for."
Muamba broke into the Premier League with Birmingham City, and the club offered their support for the midfielder this morning. "The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Fabrice and his family," a club spokesman said. “He was a very popular member of the club during his time here and everyone at St Andrew's is shocked and saddened to see what happened yesterday."