Shaun Goater's Manchester City team-mate and friend, Marc-Vivien Foe, died yesterday after collapsing while playing for Cameroon against Colombia in the semi-final of the Confederations Cup in Lyon, France.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Manchester City from French club Olympique Lyon, was carried off on a stretcher 15 minutes from the end of the match.

Alfred Mueller, FIFA's Swiss medical officer for Lyon, told a news conference: “I have to give you very sad information. The player Marc-Vivien Foe has died.

“This is a very sad day for football, for FIFA and for the player's family. This is all we can say at the moment.”

Goater, believed to be still on holiday in Florida, couldn't be reached for comment yesterday.

But his agent, Mark Georgovich, said the Bermudian, who had mentioned Foe on numerous occasions during his weekly column in last season, was certain to be distressed by the news.

FIFA, who said there would be an autopsy to determine the circumstances of the death, later issued a statement saying Foe had “collapsed to the ground in the second half, around the 72nd minute, for no apparent reason.

“The player was still alive when he was taken to the medical centre in Gerland stadium in Lyon, where he died. Doctors performed cardiac resuscitation for 45 minutes without success.”

It quoted Mueller as saying: “It is too early to determine the exact causes of his death.”

FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who learned the news while at the Stade de France (for the second semi-final) at the same time as the France and Turkey teams and also the spectators, said in the statement: “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.”

FIFA press chief Hedi Hamel said players of both teams were in a state of shock and, forgoing their showers and still wearing their match kit, joined each other in prayers.

“They were stunned and it was a moment of great emotion for the Colombian players who were also in a state of shock.

“There is great solidarity among them and an extraordinary chain of friendship has been formed.

“A lot of Colombian players prayed immediately after (news of Foe's death) and were joined (in prayer) by the Cameroon players,” he said. “It was a terrible scene.”

Hamel added: “Marc-Vivien Foe was with us yesterday and the day before, he seemed happy and enjoying life, his one love was to play football and he really wanted to play this match.”

Foe played 65 games for Cameroon and formerly played for West Ham United and RC Lens.

He produced impressive form for Manchester City in the season just finished, but the club decided against paying Lyon ?7 million ($11.65 million) to take him to England on a permanent basis.

Former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp, who signed Foe for US$6.8 million and fielded the midfielder for 16 months at Upton Park, said the Cameroon star appeared such a physically strong player.

“It's come as such a shock. He was such a powerful, strong man,” said Redknapp, who now is in charge of Portsmouth.

“Never have I seen someone in better physical condition than Marc. And you couldn't have met a nicer boy than him - he was a fantastic person and not a nasty person.

“Everybody at West Ham loved him and you only have to see the reactions of the French players tonight when they were lining up for the national anthems to see how popular he was in the game.

“Everyone who came into contact with him would have loved the man. He was such a special person and a terrific footballer.”

Redknapp revealed that Foe was close to becoming a Manchester United player.

“Sir Alex Ferguson tried to sign him for Manchester United but he broke his leg the day before,” the Portsmouth manager said.

“I know Alex will be devastated. He spoke to him a lot over the last five or six years. Marc was a great young man. It's so sad.”

Manchester City chairman John Wardle said: “Manchester City Football Club are devastated to hear the tragic news of Marc Vivien Foe's death this evening. Whilst at City, Marc 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 by his team-mates, not just as a player but also as a friend. All of our thoughts are with his family at this time.”

The City fans were also stunned.

“We are all absolutely shocked,” said Dave Wallace, who edits the club fanzine. “There will be a lot of tributes from City fans. A lot of the crowd were dubious about him at first. But then he starting belting goals in from all over the place.

“His pace was deceptive and I'd have been delighted if we had signed him for a couple of million.”