Attard FC defender Michael Farrugia was in a serious but stable condition yesterday after he collapsed during the top-of-the-table Division Two match against Gzira at the Centenary Stadium on Saturday.

The 29-year-old was about to take a goalkick in the 83rd minute of his side's 2-1 win over Gzira when he leaned over and then slumped on to the pitch. Farrugia, who only a few seconds earlier had been yellow-carded for time wasting, somehow managed to crawl beyond the touchline but lay prostrate on the pitch for some time before players and officials realised his serious condition.

He received treatment on the pitch before he was carried away on a stretcher and taken to hospital by ambulance. Farrugia is being kept under close observation in the Intensive Therapy Unit at St Luke's Hospital.

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