Van Hoogdalem fit to return
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Article summary
FC Schalke 04's Marco van Hoogdalem has been given the all-clear to play despite being diagnosed with a liver disease.
Article body
Doctor's orders
The Dutchman had been advised to stop playing in July after a lactose test revealed that he had Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC) - a disease that blocks bile ducts in the liver - but doctors and the German Football League have now cleared him to resume his career.
Carrying on
The centre-back has made 151 appearances for Schalke since joining from Eredivisie side Roda JC in 1997. He had been reluctant to quit the game after the initial diagnosis, saying: "If there is any chance of returning I will grab it with both hands."
No cure
As yet there is no cure for PSC, which can cause liver failure and may require sufferers to undergo a transplant, but Van Hoogdalem is playing on regardless. "I'd be happy to sign a document which says I play at my own risk," he added.