Fabrice Muamba Update: Latest News on Bolton Star's Scary Collapse

The world waited with bated breath as Fabrice Muamba was tended to. The Trotters' midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch and continues to recover in intensive care. 

The important thing to note is that Muamba is not out of the woods yet and is still very much ill according to physicians. 

Here is the latest on the scariest moment we have witnessed this season in any sport as a beloved athlete nearly lost his life during the heat of competition. 

Fabrice Muamba

The Associated Press reports Muamba is currently "seriously ill" at London Chest Hospital. His heart had ceased working for 78 minutes during Bolton's FA Cup match on Saturday. 

Manager Owen Coyle reserved exuberance but issued some hope at the midfielder's current status. 

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Where we are now from that moment on Saturday evening, we are astonished. But within that, it is extremely important we don't get too ahead of ourselves because we have to remember that Fabrice is still in intensive care and in a serious condition.

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An important part of the report is that Muamba had indeed been tested close to the match and was given a clear bill of health. The report states:

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The cause of the cardiac arrest has not been discovered. Doctors said that Muamba had undergone a routine screening for heart defects in August. He was checked again Sunday, with the test producing a normal result.

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Muamba continues to be on the minds of every sports fan in the world. 

Testing

The obvious fallout is that many question the testing of players and a report issued by BBC Sport answers that. 

The report states Premier League footballers may indeed be screened more often in the aftermath of Muamba's collapse. 

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Club doctors will discuss increasing the number of mandatory tests from the current level of just one at aged 16. Some teams also scan new players as part of a pre-signing medical.

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The hurdle remains in funding. Football Association's head of medical services, Dr. Ian Beasley, states the following, via the report:

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That is something we would have to work out how to fund. Whether that is from the Premier League or from a national institution, that is something to be decided later on.

There are funding issues in this. It is not just about football - it is about the whole of the athletic population.

If it was decided by government and public health that screening in young people was beneficial and saved enough lives - don't forget in this country there is a cost-benefit analysis of health care - then the government should think about funding it.

 

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Bolton Wanderers 

The sport comes second to the health of its players. While Muamba is in the forefront of our thoughts, Bolton has to move on and compete, and that is exactly what Owen Coyle believes will occur. 

He states the following as Colton looks to resume play against Blackburn on Saturday, per ESPN:

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We have to go and play the match and do it to the best of our ability. Will it be difficult? Absolutely. Some people are affected in different ways than others.

I wouldn't ask anybody to play in these circumstances if they weren't in a position to do so. It will be a difficult game of football because all of our thoughts will remain with Fabrice.

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Coyle will play those who cannot afford the opportunity to sit out during this emotional time. 

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