Egyptian footballer Mohamed Shawky, who plays for second-tier club Kafr El Sheikh SC, passed away early on Tuesday after collapsing on the pitch.
Shawky, 29, was participating in his team’s league game against Kazazeen on Wednesday before falling after a sudden heart attack.
The game was cancelled as the intensive trials to cure the player on the pitch failed before moving him to the hospital for further treatment.
The club announced that the player died at 4:00 am due to a cardiac arrest after spending the last few days on a ventilator at the intensive care unit.
The incident has reignited criticism of medical preparedness at Egyptian football stadiums, with fans and analysts questioning whether existing protocols are sufficient.
Shawky’s death comes months after a similar case involving Ahmed Refaat, a 31-year-old player for Modern Future FC and the Egyptian national team. Refaat collapsed during a match in March and died in July after prolonged medical treatment.
Refaat’s death followed years of concerns raised by the 2006 death of Mohamed Abdelwahab, Ahly defender, who collapsed during training.
Abdelwahab’s death prompted the Egyptian Football Association (EFA) and the Ministry of Youth and Sports to mandate the presence of ambulances and advanced medical equipment at matches.
In a statement on Tuesday, the EFA and the Ministry expressed condolences for Shawky’s family and announced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. The Ministry said it would take legal action if negligence is found
