Foe death still a mystery

The death of Marc-Vivien Foe after he collapsed during a match against Colombia remains a mystery, according to reports in France.

However, an early theory following the post mortem that the player had died last Thursday of an aneurysm – the ballooning of an artery or vein – has been discarded.

“We would have seen it,” Lyon-based coroner Xavier Richaud told Le Monde.

Now specialists are awaiting the results of further tests, including toxicology examinations, which will not be made known before July 1.

However, Richaud, who is yet to open any formal judicial inquiry other than the normal medical procedures that follow a sudden death, said that newspaper reports that doping could be a cause of the death were premature.

“Because we are calling for extra tests does not mean that we are privileging one theory over another,” said Richaud.

“The toxicological examination will allow us to know if the player was taking medicines, if he ingested forbidden products or if his body was producing enzymes that were degrading to the body.”

Richaud has also ordered seized blood and urine samples from hospital tests in St Etienne on June 24 when the player was suffering from diarrhoea.

World football governing body FIFA maintains the results were normal.

“In St. Etienne a diagnosis of blood tests was made at the hospital, the results being all right,” said FIFA in a statement.

“It was confirmed that there was no infection. Treatment was infusion of NACL and Immodium. On the evening of 25th June 2003 the player felt well. This was the information given by the doctor of the Cameroon team to FIFA Dr Mueller.”

On Saturday the Cameroon team Doctor Olivier Assamba angrily criticised journalists for suggesting doping was responsible for the death of the 28-year-old.

“There is much too much speculation,” said Assamba. “We must respect the memory of Marco who was a top-level professional for years.

“For me, doping has nothing to do with it.”

However, Assamba did say that asking the players to play matches within 48 hours was asking a lot.

“It‘s true that it is a very big ask to play matches every 48 hours for players whose season is over and should be on holiday,” said Assamba. “It is really hellish.”

Asked about claims that the player was ill, Assamba said: “Three days before his death Marco had enteritis but he recovered well. He had blood tests which were normal.

“On the eve of the match he trained like everyone and there was nothing abnormal and he was very motivated. It is true that diarrhoea can cause dehydration and fatigue but I repeat he had recovered.

“We must now await the result of the post mortem.”