Football: Belgium U-21 player Gregory Mertens collapses in league game; critically ill

Belgium under-21 international Gregory Mertens is critically ill in hospital after collapsing on the pitch during a reserve team match for Sporting Lokeren, his club said.

Mertens collapsed fifteen minutes in the game against Genk. Belgian media said he had suffered cardiac arrest and received CPR on the pitch, leading to the match being abandoned. "Our defender was immediately assisted by the medical team of Sporting Lokeren and KRC Genk," a statement read.

"He was transferred to the hospital in Genk. Sporting Lokeren sympathises with the family and hopes for a positive outcome," it added. Club doctor Kris Peeters was quoted by website Nieuwsblad.be as saying the 24-year-old Mertens was in a critical condition. "Everything points to a cardiac arrest," Peeters said.

"I am in constant communication with the treating physicians in Genk. The state of Gregory is still critical," he added. Chelsea's Belgium international goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois offered his support on Twitter, along with other players. "Keep fighting Gregory," Courtois said.
 

Blijven vechten Gregory! #bestrong

— Thibaut Courtois (@thibautcourtois) April 27, 2015

Mertens, 24, joined Lokeren last summer from Cercle Brugge for whom he made nearly 100 appearances.