Bolton player Fabrice Muamba collapsed on the pitch a match against Tottenham on Saturday and is reportedly fighting for his life.
Bolton player Fabrice Muamba collapsed on the pitch a match against Tottenham on Saturday and is reportedly fighting for his life. Reuters

Fabrice Muamba is critically ill in intensive care after the Bolton midfielder collapsed on the field during the FA Cup match against Tottenham on Saturday.

Those at the stadium said that attempts were made to attempt to resuscitate Muamba on the field, according to the Guardian.

After 10 minutes of medics surrounding Muamba, he was then taken off the pitch on a stretcher, with the 23-year-old still not breathing, according to ESPN, as reported by the BBC.

A statement from Muamba's club gave the latest on his condition:

Bolton Wanderers can confirm that Fabrice Muamba has been admitted to the Heart Attack Centre at the London Chest Hospital where he is currently in a critically ill condition in intensive care, read the statement on Bolton's official Web site.

No further information will be issued at this stage.

Players from both teams were seen visibly distressed and in tears at the severity of the situation.

The FA Cup quarter-final tie stood at 1-1 when in the 41st minute, Muamba collapsed without another player in his immediate vicinity.

After consulting with the players as well as Bolton manager Owen Coyle and Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, referee Howard Webb decided to call of the game

Following the announcement that the match would not continue fans were asked to leave the stadium. Supporters from both sides were also seen in tears as they left White Hart Lane in stunned silence.

Muamba, who was born in Zaire before moving to England at the age of 11, joined Arsenal's youth academy in 2002, but failed to become a first-team regular for Arsene Wenger's side.

After a loan spell at Birmingham, Muamba moved to St. Andrews on a permanent basis in 2007 for £4 million.

Muamba was unable to save Birmingham from relegation from the Premier League that season, however, and after one year moved to Bolton Wanderers.

Muamba has made 33 appearances for the England under-21 side.