Football fans have taken to Twitter to pay their respects to Marc Vivien Foe, the former West Ham and Manchester City star who tragically lost his life 14 years ago today.
Foe lost his life after suffering cardiac failure on the pitch whilst on international duty Cameroon in 2003 in an incident that shook the footballing world.
On 72 minutes during his country’s clash with Colombia in the semi-finals of the Confederations Cup, Foe collapsed near the centre circle with no other players near him, and was removed from the pitch after initial attempts to resuscitate him. He died upon arrival to the nearest hospital 45 minutes later.
While Cameroon lost out in the final of the tournament to hosts France, the occasion became no longer about football and instead a tribute to the then 28-year-old. Thierry Henry was visibly in tears before the match kicked-off, and upon the final whistle of a notably subdued 97 minutes, the trophy was lifted by Rigobert Song and Marcel Desailly – the captains of the two respective countries – with a huge print of Foe’s face behind the pair.
Foe, an all-smiling character who was described as a “special person” whom “everybody loved” by former manager from his time at West Ham Harry Redknapp, captured the hearts of all those who played with, for or indeed in front of, many of whom who poured out tributes to their former star on Twitter this afternoon.
RIP Marc Vivien Foe.
Today we remember former Hammer, Marc-Vivien Foé, on the anniversary of his sad passing.
Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/SYTfxWENdo
— West Ham United (@WestHam) June 26, 2017
14 years ago today, Marc Vivien Foe sadly passed away, he will never be forgotten ⚒ pic.twitter.com/5ebPpvt9bV
— JOE CRONIN⚒ (@joecronin1999) June 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/City_Watch/status/879261832317480960
14 years ago today, Marc-Vivien Foe tragically passed away after collapsing on the pitch in the semi-finals of the FIFA Confederations Cup. pic.twitter.com/cQWO0Fe5l2
— FIFA (@FIFAcom) June 26, 2017
#OnThisDay in 2003: Former West Ham and Cameroon player Marc-Vivien Foe sadly passed away. Gone but never forgotten. RIP ⚒❤️ pic.twitter.com/bpsY3A0kWi
— West Ham News (@WHUFC_News) June 26, 2017
On this day in 2003: Former Hammer Marc-Vivien Foe sadly passed away.
Never forgotten.
— West Ham (C)entral 🏆 (@WestHam_Central) June 26, 2017
CONFED CUP FIFA FRANCE 2003 : June 26,2003 semi final of Confederations Cup. Cameroon vs Colombia. 17- Marc Vivien FOE, we'll never forget U pic.twitter.com/1YwpVlo6lU
— Kamer Football Team (@KamerfootTeam) June 26, 2017
https://twitter.com/KCMANC/status/879300646670880768
Today marks the anniversary of Marc-Vivien Foe's death. 14 yrs on it doesnt get any easier when thinkin of him. Sleep well @ManCitys No.23 x pic.twitter.com/yVeRKbaZmG
— MCFCjustsayin (@MCFCjustsayin) June 25, 2017
