Dinamo Bucharest's Harlem Gnohere cries after his teammate Patrick Ekeng of Cameroon died after collapsing during a league match in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, May 6, 2016. Dinamo player Ekeng died at the emergency hospital after collapsing during a match, doctors said. He was 26. Cristian Pandrea, a spokesman for the Floreasca Emeregency Hospital, said doctors tried for an hour to resuscitate the Cameroon midfielder but failed. He said the cause of death was not known. (AP Photo) ROMANIA OUT
The Associated Press
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) - Prosecutors are investigating the sudden death of Dinamo Bucharest and Cameroon midfielder Patrick Ekeng after he collapsed during a match in the Romanian capital.
The 26-year-old Ekeng fell to the ground seven minutes after going on as a substitute in a match between Dinamo and Viitorul Constanta on Friday.
Dynamo led 3-2 in the match when Ekeng collapsed in the 69th minute. Local media said he had a heart attack.
Doctors tried to resuscitate Ekeng for an hour at Floreasca Emergency Hospital, where dozens of fans gathered outside.
The match resumed after the incident and finished 3-3.
Fans and some officials have criticized what they claimed were delays in treating Ekeng on the pitch and in taking him by ambulance to the nearby hospital.
Players and staff were seen crying as events unfolded. Some went with him to the hospital.
"At moments like this, words seem insufficient," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said Saturday. "Messages I've read online from teammates, his club in Romania, and former teams, show just how highly Patrick was regarded. I would like to express my sincere condolences to his family and friends, and particularly to the staff, players and fans of Dinamo Bucharest, and the Cameroon national team."
Issa Hayatou, president of the Confederation of African Football (CAF), said "it is extremely difficult to find words to understand such a brutal tragedy."
Ekeng also played for Spanish club Cordoba CF, Swiss club Lausanne, and French club Le Mans. He moved to Dinamo in 2015.
Romania's football federation said Saturday the final of the Romanian Cup will be put back a week to May 17 due to Ekeng's death. Dinamo plays CFR Cluj in the final.
(This story has been corrected to show the score was 3-2 to Dynamo at the time of Ekeng's collapse, not 3-3.)
Dinamo Bucharest players light candles along with supporters after teammate Patrick Ekeng of Cameroon died after collapsing during a league match in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, May 6, 2016. Dinamo player Ekeng died at the emergency hospital after collapsing in a match, doctors said. He was 26. Cristian Pandrea, a spokesman for the Floreasca Emeregency Hospital, said doctors tried for an hour to resuscitate the Cameroon midfielder but failed. He said the cause of death was not known. (AP Photo) ROMANIA OUT
The Associated Press
Dinamo's Patrick Ekeng of Cameroon is placed on a stretcher after collapsing during a league game in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, May 6, 2016. Dinamo Bucharest player Patrick Ekeng died after he collapsed during a match in the Romanian capital on Friday, doctors said. He was 26. (AP Photo) ROMANIA OUT
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Children cry while exiting the pitch along with an unidentified Dinamo Bucharest player after a league game in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, May 6, 2016. Dinamo Bucharest player Patrick Ekeng died after he collapsed during a match in the Romanian capital on Friday, doctors said. He was 26. (AP Photo/Alex Dobre) ROMANIA OUT
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Dinamo's Patrick Ekeng of Cameroon is placed on a stretcher after collapsing during a league game in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, May 6, 2016. Dinamo Bucharest player Patrick Ekeng died after he collapsed during a match in the Romanian capital on Friday, doctors said. He was 26. (AP Photo/Alex Dobre) ROMANIA OUT
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FILE - In this Saturday, Sept. 26, 2009, file picture Cameroon's Patrick Ekeng, right challenges Korea's Oh Jae Suk during their U-20 World Cup group C soccer match at the Suez Mubarak Stadium in Suez, Egypt. Dinamo Bucharest player Patrick Ekeng died at the emergency hospital after collapsing, Friday, May 6, 2016, during a match in Bucharest, Romania. (AP Photo/Nasser Nasser, File)
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Dinamo's Patrick Ekeng of Cameroon lies on the pitch after collapsing during a league game in Bucharest, Romania, Friday, May 6, 2016. Dinamo Bucharest player Patrick Ekeng died after he collapsed during a match in the Romanian capital on Friday, doctors said. He was 26. (AP Photo) ROMANIA OUT
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