Video: Algerian Player Dies of Cardiac Arrest on the Field

Algerian player Sofiane Loukar (30 years old) died on Saturday due to a "cardiac arrest" just minutes after colliding with his goalkeeper during a match in the Algerian second division football league. The club Mouloudia Saida posted on its Facebook page, "The captain of Mouloudia Saida, Sofiane Loukar, died at the Habib Bouakal Stadium (Oran) due to a cardiac arrest" during the match against the Association of Oran. They published a video showing the player receiving first aid off the field and being transported by ambulance to the hospital. Loukar collided with his goalkeeper in the 26th minute of the first half, received first aid, and returned to play before collapsing on the field in the 35th minute and being taken to the hospital, according to the Algerian news agency. The players received the news of his death during halftime and broke down in tears, as shown in a video released by the club in the locker room. Club coach Arabi Marsli stated, "Loukar fell in a normal way, and we are in shock," clarifying that the player "was in good health and cleared by the league with a medical file," as noted on Mouloudia Saida's page.