Thuram has heart problem, career at risk

PARIS: Former France international defender Lilian Thuram said that he was suffering from a heart defect which may force him to end his career.
 
Because of the illness he will not sign with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), Thuram Friday told journalists at the Parc des Princes, the home of the Paris side.
 
"The doctors have detected a cardiac defect. It seems to be the same illness that my brother had a few years ago and which cost him his life on a basketball court. In a month, the doctors will have the definitive results," Thuram said.
 
Thuram said he would take a decision on whether to end his career when all the test results are known.
 
The ailment was detected during a medical examination that was generally viewed as a mere formality before he signed to play for PSG.
 
The French media reported Thursday that the 36-year-old Thuram had signed a one-year contract with PSG that would pay him about 200,000 euros.
 
Thuram earned 140 caps for France, more than any other French footballer, before announcing his retirement from international football after France's elimination from Euro 2008. He won the World Cup in 1998 and the European title in 2000.