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Cameroon to play final despite death

Marc-Vivien Foe of Cameroon is taken off during the semi-final Confederations Cup match at Gerland stadium in Lyon, central France, on Thursday. The player later died. PHOTO: REUTERS

Stunned Cameroon players resolved to play the Confederations Cup final against France tomorrow following the death of Marc-Vivien Foe.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter traveled to Lyon yesterday to console Foe's family and the Cameroon players, who told him they would go ahead with the final in Paris.

Foe, 28, collapsed during the semi-final against Colombia on Thursday, won 1-0 by Cameroon, after suffering a suspected heart attack.

In an emotional address to the players, Blatter said: "I know you are sad, stunned and shocked. We have to face the situation. There's sadness, yes, but hope also. We can keep a vision for the future.

"I have learned that you have taken the decision to play in this final and that's great," he said. "It's great because you are going to play in the memory of someone who not only was your team mate but also your friend. He was a Cameroon football legend.

"He was big and strong, the type who sets examples, the prow of the ship. He has left us but his memory continues to live with you, with us and in the world of football," he said. "Cameroon now hope that you will carry high that memory in your play -- that is the hope that I can pass on to you."

The hand of Thierry Henry, right, points to the sky in memory of Foe after France's opening goal on Thursday. PHOTO: REUTERS

Blatter also met Foe's widow, who lives in Lyon with her three children, the youngest of whom is two months old.

The Cameroon camp was waiting for an autopsy to explain the death of the apparently healthy Foe, described by one of his former managers as "strong as an ox."

"Everything that had to be done was done but unfortunately we lost him," said Cameroon team doctor Olivier Assamba. Medical staff battled for 45 minutes to save Foe, giving him prolonged cardiac massage.

The news stunned the world of football, with many leading figures paying tributes to the midfielder.

English premier league club Manchester City, for whom Foe played last season on loan, were swamped with tributes for the midfielder who had quickly become a crowd favorite.

"Marc, while at City, made an excellent contribution to our successful return to the premier league and was very highly regarded by his fellow players," said chairman John Wardle.

City manager Kevin Keegan, the former England boss, was too upset to speak. The club said they will retire the number 23 shirt which Foe wore last season when he scored nine goals in 38 matches.

City were hoping to sign Foe permanently although several other clubs were interested in buying him from French champions Olympique Lyon, who issued a statement on their Web site.

"We are left with a memory of a charming boy, the embodiment of a love of life," the statement said.

"We will keep the memories of his bursts of laughter, the music which came from his dressing room and his kindness off the field. Olympique Lyon offer their sincere condolences to his family and those close to Marc-Vivien."

Harry Redknapp, the manager who first brought Foe to England as West Ham boss, said he had hoped to sign him for his new club Portsmouth.

"You couldn't have met a nicer fella, a quieter, more gentle giant. He was a fantastic boy, as strong as an ox," Redknapp told the BBC.

In Cameroon's capital Yaounde, celebrations after the game were abruptly halted as fans learned the news. Several people collapsed and were taken to hospital and bars emptied rapidly.
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