The death of Patrick Ekeng earlier this month plunged the footballing world into shock.
Aged just 26, the Cameroon international passed away after collapsing during Dinamo Bucharest’s Romanian league game against Viitorul Constanta.
His death has brought calls for urgent action to protect players suffering life-threatening injuries on the pitch, after it emerged that his death from a suspected heart attack came after pitchside paramedics did not have access to a working defibrillator.
Ekeng’s agent, Hasan Anil Eken, has called for the introduction of the Eken’g Rule, whereby football clubs would be forced to install mini-hospitals within reach of the pitch. The proposed measures, he says, would make it easier to treat some of the most common life-threatening situations faced by footballers.
https://twitter.com/hasananileken/status/728689630464323590
In the meantime, however, fans of Dinamo Bucharest have been paying tribute to their player.
The Romanian cup final was postponed in the immediate aftermath of Ekeng’s death, and supporters provided a moving mosaic for the midfielder before Tuesday’s rearranged game, which they lost on penalties.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USvx9OyPSM4
Ekeng had played a big part in Dinamo reaching the final, scoring his only goal for the club in the 2-2 semi-final second leg draw against rivals Steaua which saw them advance on away goals.
The display, which reads ‘Bon Voyage Patrick’, was produced ahead of kickoff in the final, while fans stood and applauded in the 14th minute in honour of Ekeng’s squad number.
14" minute #dinamo – CFR #ekeng applause pic.twitter.com/21JE1KhBvQ
— Gabriel Stoian (@gaby_stone1) May 17, 2016
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