Weak heart caused player’s death

BUCHAREST, AUG 23: The Romanian Forensic Institute (IML) said an undetected heart condition had triggered the death of a soccer player who collapsed on the pitch during a first division match last July. “The footballer’s death was not violent,” IML director Vladimir Belis told journalists at the weekend. “He died of cardiac insufficiency after intense physical effort.”

Astra Ploiesti player Stefan Vrabioru died on his way to hospital after collapsing during an away match against Rapid Bucharest. Belis also accused Rapid of failing to provide an ambulance. “If Rapid had supplied a proper ambulance, the player would have had a chance to survive,” Belis said.

Belis blamed the doctors who saw Vrabioru before the season for failing to detect his heart condition. And also blamed the player’s club for not securing detailed medical information.

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Belis ruled out drugs as a possible cause of death, despite traces of methandienone highlighted during post-mortem examination. He also said neither a stomach disease nor a brutal hit could have caused Vrabioru’s death.

The local soccer governing body (FRF) has levied a Lenientone-round ban on Rapid and given it a symbolic fine.