SEVILLA ACE PUERTA PASS AWAY
Posted 28/08/07
UEFA have postponed Tuesday night's Champions League qualifier
between AEK Athens and Sevilla after the death on Tuesday of the
Spanish club's defender Antonio Puerta.
The 22-year-old Spain international collapsed on the pitch during
the weekend game against Getafe and, though he was able to walk
off, suffered a relapse in the dressing room and required cardiac
resuscitation.
It is believed the first-team squad is currently flying back to
Spain from Greece.
Puerta has been a member of the Sevilla first team for three
seasons and spent 14 years in total with the Andalusian club he
joined as a boy.
Earlier in the day, doctors confirmed Puerta's condition had
deteriorated. Dr Francisco Murillo, head of the intensive care unit
at the hospital, said: "The condition of patient Antonio Puerta is
not favourable due to the progression of the postanoxic brain
injury and the multiple organic dysfunction caused by the prolonged
cardiac arrest that led to his admission to hospital."
UEFA have postponed Tuesday night's Champions League qualifier
between AEK Athens and Juande Ramos' side.
The Sevilla squad is currently flying back to Spain from
Greece.
Puerta, whose girlfriend is pregnant, had been a member of the
Sevilla first team for three seasons and spent 14 years in total
with the Andalusian club he joined as a boy.
A later statement from Dr Murillo confirmed the death. It read: "We
regret to announce that the patient Antonio Puerta died at 14.30
(local time) as a consequence of postpanoxic encephalopathy and
multiorganic dysfunction provoked by the cardiac arrest."
ANTONIO PUERTA FACTFILE
1984: November 26 - Born Seville, Spain.
2002: Joins Sevilla 'B' team.
2004: September 19 - Makes his Primera Liga debut as a substitute
in 3-0 win over Levante.
November - Starts his first match for Sevilla senior side and
scores opening goal in 2-1 defeat to Numancia.
2006: Became a regular in Sevilla side, playing over 25 games in
all competitions.
April - Scores extra-time winning goal in UEFA Cup semi-final
victory over Schalke.
May - Picks up UEFA Cup winner's medal despite missing out on 4-0
final win over Middlesbrough.
2007: May - Plays full 120 minutes as club clinch second
consecutive UEFA Cup with win on penalties in final against
Espanyol.
June - Helps Sevilla finish third in La Liga, making 46 appearances
during season.
August 25 - Collapses on pitch 35 minutes into first match of
2007/08 campaign against Getafe. Though able to walk off, he
suffers a relapse in the dressing room and requires cardiac
resuscitation after being rushed to hospital.
August 28 - After three days in intensive care, passes away aged
22.
http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_2691290,00.html
R.I.P, such a young player. Somemore his gf is pregnant and is due
in 5 weeks. 
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_sports/view/296522/1/.html
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/europe/6964586.stm