Dinamo Bucharest footballer Patrick Ekeng collapses on the pitch, dies aged 26. Prosecutors open criminal file

Dinamo Bucharest footballer Patrick Ekeng (Cameroon) has died Friday night at the age of 26, after he collapsed on the pitch during the match between FC Dinamo and FC Viitorul Constanta Friday evening.

Doctors at Floreasca Emergency Hospital resuscitated him for more than an hour, but the footballer did not respond to the attempts.

After the intervention of the Dinamo medical staff, an ambulance was called, Ekeng receiving treatment on the pitch and then was transported to the nearby emergency hospital. Ekeng had fallen on the lawn just seven minutes earlier.

“The doctors have been trying for an hour and a half all resuscitation procedures. He had moments when he came back, but did not resist, he failed to recover. All ambulances have resuscitation equipment, but on the way to hospital, one minute or so, cardiac massage was done,”’ FC Dinamo Bucharest MD Liviu Bătineanu said.

“Unfortunately, we are cursed. I can hardly find words, I can’t believe at this time what happened. It’s a nightmare for me and for the whole team, for all Dinamo supporters,” said Dinamo sports director Ionel Dănciulescu at the Floreasca Emergency Hospital, minutes after the death was announced.

Romanian Cup final, postponed. Prosecutors open investigation

Romanian Cup final between FC Dinamo and CFR Cluj, scheduled on May 10, was postponed by the Romanian Football Federation (FRF) following the death of player Patrick Ekeng.

16 years ago, Catalin Hîldan, the then FC Dinamo captain, died on the pitch aged 24, during a friendly match held in Olteniţa (southern Romania).

Authorities have opened criminal proceedings in rem in the case of Patrick Ekeng’s death.

The private ambulance doctor, a woman about whom supporters said she had been smoking in the stands, the ambulance driver, the medical staff and other representatives of the club are to be heard, according to Digi 24.

Policemen want to determine why the ambulance came on the pitch to start resuscitation after three minutes. Witnesses said the ambulance was not been equipped with defibrillators.