Puerta condition 'very serious'

Sevilla FC defender Antonio Puerta's condition was "very serious" on Sunday after he suffered two cardiac arrests following their 4-1 win against Getafe CF last night.

Intensive care
The 22-year-old fainted 35 minutes into the match and although he was able to walk off, Puerta was taken to hospital and put on a respirator after passing out again in the dressing room. A medical statement issued by the Virgen del Rocio hospital read: "He is in the intensive care unit where he has been given assisted ventilation and is experiencing hemodynamic instability. The prognosis is very serious."

Del Nido statement
However, Sevilla president José María del Nido said there was hope for the player and paid tribute to those who treated him. "The player's life was saved thanks to the rapid intervention of the club doctors and the Red Cross because he had a number of cardiac arrests," del Nido told Sevilla's website after visiting Puerta. "Despite the severity of the situation his situation appears to be evolving favourably and the doctors are becoming more optimistic." Sevilla's UEFA Super Cup opponents on Friday, AC Milan, have issued a statement wishing Puerta a quick recovery while the club are next in action on Tuesday at AEK Athens FC in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.