Tributes to Foé flood in

The football world has been paying tribute to Olympique Lyonnais and Cameroon midfield player Marc-Vivien Foé, who died on Thursday after a suspected heart attack during his country's FIFA Confederations Cup semi-final victory against Colombia.

Minute's silence
The 28-year-old Foé, who was making his 65th international appearance, collapsed in the centre circle of his home pitch at the Stade Gerland during the 71st minute of the match and medics were unable to revive him. France and Turkey players observed a minute's silence before the second semi-final in tribute to the Cameroonian.

Message from UEFA
UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner expressed his sadness in a letter of condolence to CAF President Issa Hayatou. "It is with very great sadness that I learned yesterday of the death of Marc-Vivien Foé," he said. "We will remember him as a talented and respected player, both at club level and with his national team, Cameroon.

'A great loss'
"His perspectives in football and in life were promising, and his passing is a great loss. I would like to address my condolences and deepest sympathy to his family, his friends, the Cameroon Football Federation and the African Football Confederation." Mr Aigner repeated the words in a letter to Manchester City FC, the English club where Foé was on loan last season.

French tribute
Mr Aigner's sentiments were echoed by Thierry Henry, who, after scoring the first goal in France's 3-2 win against Turkey, pointed skywards in tribute to Foé. "I do not wish to talk about [the tragedy] in respect for his family," Henry said after the game. "I dedicate him my first goal. It's nothing but it's all I can do."

Santini shock
France goalkeeper Grégory Coupet, a team-mate of Foé's at Lyon, added: "Marco was like a big brother, he was a rock, an extraordinary guy." France coach Jacques Santini, Foé's former coach at Lyon, said: "The sadness was even worse among Lyon players and myself. I am very distressed, I cannot find the words to describe our sadness. Death has hit someone we knew and someone we liked."

'Unbelievable tragedy'
FIFA president Joseph S Blatter said: "FIFA and the whole family of football are shattered by this unbelievable tragedy. On their behalf, I wish to convey our sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones, to Cameroon football and his club, and express all our support at this painful time. Football has lost a remarkable player and a remarkable man."

Final goes ahead
Mr Blatter added on Friday that Sunday's Confederations Cup final between France and Cameroon would definitely go ahead after consultations with Foé's team-mates. "They all agreed, they even applauded - they want to play this final," he said. Former Cameroon striker Roger Milla had earlier commented: "To play is what Marc-Vivien would have expected."

City tribute
Man City chairman John Wardle and manager Kevin Keegan paid tribute in a joint statement that read: "Manchester City Football Club are devastated to hear the tragic news. Marc, while at City, made an excellent contribution to our successful return to the Premiership and was very highly regarded by his fellow players. He will be sadly missed, not just as a player but also as a friend. All of our thoughts are with his family at this time."

First cap
Foé won his first international cap at just 17. He began his European career in France, playing under Gérard Houllier at RC Lens, and won the French title for the first time in 1998. The same year he was expected to move to Manchester United FC but broke his leg ahead of the FIFA World Cup finals and saw the transfer called off.

Another title
He eventually signed for West Ham United FC, but returned a season later to France and Lyon in a €9.5m move. Another French title followed in 2002 before he joined Manchester City. For the record, Cameroon's place in Sunday's final was secured courtesy of a ninth-minute goal from Pius Ndiefi. On a day of such sadness it hardly seemed to matter.