Five-aside football player Fábio Mendes has died of a suspected heart attack during a match between São João Urgicentro and Portimão on Saturday at the Montes de Alvor stadium.
The player was assisted by nurses at the scene, who performed resuscitation until the arrival of an INEM medical team.
The match was halted for 13 minutes and the 28-year-old player was taken to Portimão Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
According to the Portuguese Federation of Futesol, the match was part of the National Championship of the Futsal Division II.
Fernando Gomes, President of the Portuguese Football Federation, expressed heartfelt condolences to the club and the family,
"It was with great sadness that I received news of the death of this young man during a FPF futsal competition. In this hour of profound pain and sadness, I give, in the name of the Portuguese Football Federation and in my personal name, the most sincere condolences to the São João club, to the bereaved family and to all the colleagues and friends of Fábio Mendes."
