Alex Apolinario, Brazilian midfielder, dies of cardiac arrest at 24
- Alex Apolinario has passed away after suffering heart complications
- The Brazilian midfielder was in action for his Portuguese lower league side when he fell unconscious
- The 24-year-old was stable after his incident on Sunday before giving up the fight four days later
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Brazilian midfielder Alex Apolinario has been confirmed dead on Thursday, January 7 due to heart complications. The 24-year-old was said to have fallen unconscious during a football match for his Portuguese third-tier club side FC Alverca against Uniao de Almeirim on Sunday.
Though sources say he was already stable the same night, he suffered the cardiac arrest but four days later, his club announced that he didn't make it.
However, the club has promised to assist the deceased family during their trying moment in an official statement from the club:
"It is with deep regret that we report, according to the information provided by the medical staff of the Vila Franca de Xira Hospital, the death by brain death of our athlete Alex Sandro dos Santos Apolinário this morning.
"FC Alverca Futebol SAD will provide all the necessary support to their families. At this time of mourning all the activities of FC Alverca are cancelled."
According to Sunsport, medics reportedly used a defibrillator on Apolinario on the pitch before he was taken to hospital.
Meanwhile, his death has thrown both players and coaches with other non-playing staff in tears during the troubling incident while some were seen kneeling down and praying. A statement from the local emergency services on Sunday read:
"We received a warning at 11:30am to help a male victim at FC Alverca Sports Complex and two minutes later we drove two vehicles and four men to the stadium.
“The sooner the help is, the greater the likelihood and quality of life of survival. Now we are concerned about the recovery of the man and not the football player. We will have confidence."
Source: Instagram
In other sports news, Briefly.co.za reported that Liverpool's chances of retaining the Premier League title this season suffered a major setback following their 1-0 defeat to Southampton at St Mary's Stadium.
Danny Ings' second-minute strike was all the home team needed to claim maximum points and deny the Reds a chance to extend their lead to three points on the table.
Despite playing one game more, the Merseyside are joint table toppers with Manchester United ahead of their EPL meeting at Anfield on January 17.
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Source: Briefly News
