THE headteacher of Kelmscott School in Walthamstow says staff were "devastated" by the collapse of former pupil Fabrice Muamba during an FA Cup football game.

The Bolton Wanderers midfielder, who moved to Waltham Forest with his family from the Democratic Republis of Congo aged 11, suffered from a suspected cardiac arrest while playing against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, March 17.

He is being treated at the London Chest Hospital and has shown signs of improvement, although the long-term outlook for his health remains unclear.

Kelmscott head Lynnette Parvez said the school hoped he would continue to make a speedy recovery.

She said: “We were absolutely devastated by what happened at the weekend, and both he and his family are in our thoughts.

“Fabrice joined Kelmscott School in February 2000 and was always a happy pupil who gave everything he did 100 per cent. "It goes without saying that he has always been an excellent footballer and an exceptional athlete, but he also studied hard while he was at Kelmscott and valued his education – something evident in the fact that he is still continuing with his studies.

“Fabrice was a very popular pupil with teachers and pupils alike, and since leaving Kelmscott he has kept in touch with the school and been an inspiration to other pupils.

"He has been a guest speaker at the school for the launch of our schools specialism event and still visits on an informal basis to keep in touch with members of staff, many of whom follow his football career with interest and pride."

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