Foe dies after collapsing on the pitch during match

The Cameroon midfielder Marc-Vivien Foe has died after collapsing in Cameroon's Confederations Cup semi-final against Colombia yesterday.

Foe, who spent last season on loan at Manchester City from Lyon, collapsed unchallenged on the pitch in the 71st minute of the game. He was carried off on a stretcher to the sidelines where he received further treatment. The game was played in hot conditions, with temperatures peaking in the 30s C.

Even though the tournament has been criticised for a quick succession of games at the end of a long season, Foe had played only 154 minutes of a possible 270 during the group stage and sat out Monday's game against New Zealand.

A Fifa doctor, Alfred Mueller, said the cause of death was not yet clear. He said Foe underwent 45 minutes of resuscitation in the stadium's first-aid station but doctors could not revive him.

The death overshadowed Cameroon's 1-0 win and qualification for the final of the eight-nation tournament.

Foe, 28, played more than 60 games for Cameroon and formerly also played for West Ham United and Lens.

A FIFA spokesman said: "This is a very sad day for football and for the player's family, this is all we can say at the moment. Given this situation neither coach Winfried Schaefer of Cameroon or Colombia's Francisco Maturana will be speaking to the media.".

There will be an autopsy to determine the circumstances of his death.