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    Dad of ex-Liverpool star Roberto Firmino dies aged 62 after suffering heart attack on family trip to Dubai

    ROBERTO Firmino’s dad has died aged 62 after suffering a heart attack.The ex-Liverpool star’s father José Roberto Cordeiro de Oliveira was on a family trip in Dubai when he fell ill.
    Roberto Firmino (right) with his late fatherCredit: Instagram
    Firmino described his dad as his heroCredit: Instagram
    Firmino’s family is still trying to contact the Brazilian embassy in the UAE to bring his father’s body back to their home city of Maceió.
    One friend told local media: “He was a very good guy. He had a very good soul and was very funny. This was very unexpected.”
    In his autobiography, Al-Ahli star Firmino writes: “Not all heroes wear capes; some are called Dad.
    “My father, José, was my childhood hero, an inspiration and an example.
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    “A generous, serious, honest man dedicated to the family.”
    Firmino’s boyhood club CRB said: “The Clube de Regatas Brasil deeply regrets the death of José Roberto Cordeiro de Oliveira, father of Roberto Firmino, who left us this weekend.
    “He’s always been a big Galo de Campina fan and was very proud of his son being unveiled in football with the whirlpool shirt.
    “Rest in peace, José Roberto.”
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    The family had shared snaps of their trip in Dubai before Oliveira’s death – including one of him enjoying a trip to an amusement park.
    Firmino left Liverpool last summer after spending eight years at Anfield.
    He joined the Reds from Hoffenheim in 2015 and was part of the squad which one the Champions League in 2019 and the Prem in 2020. More

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    Diego Arrua dead: Boxing star Sabrina Perez’s trainer and husband dies at 58 after heart attack during world title fight

    BOXING coach Diego Arrua has died aged 58 after suffering a heart attack during his wife’s world title fight.Arrua was in the corner for wife Sabrina Perez’s interim WBC featherweight title bout with Australian Skye Nicolson on Friday night.
    Sabrina Perez is mourning the passing of her husband and trainer Diego ArruaCredit: MATCHROOM BOXING
    Arrua had a heart attack during Perez’s interim WBC featherweight title fight with Skye NicolsonCredit: INSTAGRAM@TEAM_SABRINAPEREZ
    The late Arrua was only 58 years oldCredit: INSTAGRAM@TEAM_SABRINAPEREZ
    Arrua was cornering Perez in her interim featherweight title fight against Skye NicolsonCredit: INSTAGRAM@TEAM_SABRINAPEREZ
    He collapsed between the ninth and ten rounds of the fight at the Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutierrez in Mexico.
    Sadly, he didn’t recover from the reportedly “devastating” heart attack.
    WBC president Maurico Sulaiman confirmed the passing of Arrua on Twitter.
    He said: “It is with deep sadness that we have been informed of the sudden death of Argentine coach Diego [Arrua].
    “Who suffered a devastating heart attack during the Sabrina Perez fight in Tijuana.
    “The medical services did everything possible and he died at the QDEP general hospital.”
    Matchroom Boxing – who promoted the fight – also offered their condolences to Perez over her husband’s passing.
    They tweeted: “Our thoughts and condolences are with Sabrina Perez and your loved ones.”
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    Arrua collapsed in the corner between the ninth and tenth roundsCredit: Instagram @team_sabrinaperez
    Perez suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Nicolson, with the judges scoring the contest 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 in favour of the Aussie.
    She wasn’t in the ring when the result was read out.
    Boxing fans around the world were quick to react to the tragic news, with one tweeting: “Prayers for the family.”
    Another said: “RIP THAT’S SO SAD.”
    And another said: “Rest in peace, Diego.”
    One remarked: “Damn sad to hear. RIP.”
    Another chimed in: “Awful news. RIP.”
    Perez went into her clash with Nicolson on the back of decision victories over Silvia Fernanda Zararias and Yollis Marrugo Franco.
    Defeat to Nicolson saw her lose her grip on the WBC’s interim 126lbs strap.
    Matchroom Boxing offered their condolences to Perez over her bereavementCredit: TWITTER More

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    I’ve fought Tommy Fury and he doesn’t have the heart of a fighter, don’t be surprised if he crumbles against KSI

    TOMMY FURY has been accused of lacking the “heart of a fighter” which could lead to his demise against KSI. Fury, 24, is set to face YouTube, music and crossover boxing star KSI, 30, on October 14 in Manchester.
    Tommy Fury beat Anthony Taylor in 2021 and didn’t leave him impressedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    KSI fights Fury next, on October 14Credit: Getty
    It comes after he beat KSI’s arch enemy Jake Paul by split-decision in Saudi Arabia in February.
    But despite that victory, Fury’s former opponent Anthony Taylor – who he beat in 2021 – has hit out at the former Love Islander.
    Taylor, 34, told Neue Online Casinos: “This is a really, really close 50-50 match-up. Don’t be surprised if KSI knocks Tommy out.
    “We know Tommy can box a bit, but I can tell you from first hand experience, Tommy is like the lion in the wizard of Oz without a heart.
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    “If KSI can make him uncomfortable, and stick with for those early rounds, and then land his power shots, don’t be surprised if Tommy crumbles and never gets back up.
    “He doesn’t have the heart of a fighter.”

    Paul snubbed a rematch with Fury to instead return over the weekend against ex-UFC star Nate Diaz.
    And Taylor – who formerly sparred the prankster-turned prizefighter – warned Diaz of his brutal power.
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    He said: “I hear Jake Paul is looking superhuman in this camp, he’s training with killers and there’s no question he’s going to send Nate Diaz into retirement.
    “Respect to Diaz, he’s had a great career, but he’s not going to know what’s hit him when Jake detonates on his chin.
    “I’ve tasted Jake’s power and his right hand hits like a baseball bat.
    “Given Diaz’s age and how much smaller he is compared to Jake, I don’t see how Diaz can stand up to that kind of firepower.”
    Jake Paul facing off with Nate Diaz before their upcoming fightCredit: @mostvaluablepromotions More

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    Ex-Premier League youngster forced to RETIRE aged just 22 after being diagnosed with heart condition

    A EX-PREMIER LEAGUE youngster has been forced into retirement at the age of just 22.Lars Dendoncker made the decision to hang up his boots after being diagnosed with a heart condition.
    Lars Dendoncker has retired aged just 22Credit: Getty
    He had been diagnosed with a heart conditionCredit: Willie Vass
    The former Brighton and Hove Albion prospect looked to have a promising future in the game having regularly featured for Belgium’s youth sides.
    But after learning about his condition, he has decided not to risk his health and made his announcement with a heartfelt statement.
    The defender took to Instagram to share his news with his 3k followers.
    He wrote: “Hi everyone. Where do I start.
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    “As a child, I only had one dream. Become a professional football player.
    “But my professional career and dream has come to a very early end. Because of my heart condition, I have decided to stop playing because of my own health.
    “This was and will be the hardest decision ever in my life. But there is no going back and I have to look in the future. This will take time to process.
    “I’ve learned a lot throughout the years and had to sacrifice a lot. So this really hurts.
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    “11 years at the academy of Club Bruges where I made a lot of friends.
    “2 beautiful years with Brighton and a loan move to St. Johnstone where I made my professional debut.
    “I want to thank all the players and staff that I have worked with. ❤️”
    Dendoncker had been released by Brighton in May 2022 and has been without a club ever since.
    He is the brother of Aston Villa and former Wolves star Leander Dendoncker.
    Dendoncker is the second Brighton player to prematurely retire from football recently after Enock Mwepu hung up his boots in October 2022 as he was diagnosed with a rare hereditary heart condition. More

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    Former Arsenal star Wojciech Szczesny reveals he thought he was going to die after on-pitch heart scare

    WOJCIECH SZCZESNY has admitted that he thought he was “going to die” after suffering a heart scare while playing for Juventus.In April, the former Arsenal star felt pains in his chest during the Europa League clash against Sporting Lisbon.
    Wojciech Szczesny had a heart scare while playing for JuventusCredit: AFP
    The Polish star admitted that he thought he would ‘die’ on the pitchCredit: Reuters
    The Polish international revealed that he started to feel the pain after passing the ball to one of the defenders.
    Szczesny, 33, claimed that it felt like his heart would “explode”, leaving him fearing for his life.
    He told Canal Plus Polonia: “It was scary. I really thought I was going to die.
    “After passing a ball to the defender, I felt like my heart was about to explode.
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    “During a corner kick, I told [Arkadiusz] Milik I was hurt, but the Sporting players were already taking a corner kick.”
    The former Arsenal goalkeeper took no chances as he started to feel chest pains and immediately called for a substitution.
    Team-mate Manuel Locatelli was first on the scene when the Pole put his hand on his chest and immediately alerted the medics.
    Goal Italia stated at the time that Szczesny reported an increased heart rate and shortness of breath when he came off.
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    Fortunately, tests confirmed that he was fine however did not find the causeCredit: Getty
    Thankfully, Juventus later sent out a tweet confirming that the goalkeeper was fine.
    After more tests, the goalkeeper was found to be fine and returned to the starting line-up for the reverse fixture against Sporting.
    However, Szczesny has admitted that the reasons behind the episode still remain a mystery.
    He added: “The chest pain was horrible.
    “To this day, we don’t know the reason. Probably back or spine problems.”
    Szczesny spent eight years at Arsenal, where he came through the academy, before spending two years on loan at Roma in 2015 and joining Juve permanently in 2017.
    Football has been rocked by a number of heart scares in recent years.
    In horrifying scenes, Christian Eriksen collapsed live on TV during a Euro 2020 clash against Finland.
    The Dane was then forced to take time out of the game as Italian regulations did not permit him to play with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, which he had inserted following the incident.
    He then rebuilt his career in a six-month spell at Brentford and is now thriving at Man Utd.
    But Man City legend Sergio Aguero was forced to retire aged just 33
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    He was diagnosed with cardiac arrhythmia after being taken to hospital with breathing difficulties during a Barcelona game. More

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    I broke Glenn Hoddle’s ribs when I gave him CPR, says Spurs fan who saved his life after cardiac attack

    THE man who saved Glenn Hoddle after his heart stopped has re­vealed he broke seven of the footie pundit’s ribs giving him CPR.Spurs fan Simon Daniels was reunited with Glenn on telly yesterday.
    Ex-Tottenham and England ace Glenn Hoddle was reunited with heart surgeon Stephen Edmondson and fan Simon Daniels, who both saved his lifeCredit: Rex
    The former Tottenham Hotspur and England midfielder was visibly emotional when Simon joined him and heart surgeon Stephen Edmondson as they were being interviewed on Good Morning Britain.
    Sound engineer Simon’s last-minute appearance came as he was working on ITV’s Lorraine in the studio next door.
    Glenn, 65, said: “You can imagine how emotional I feel with these two guys sat here.”
    Simon said: “I broke seven of Glenn’s ribs so I’ve got that on my CV.”
    READ MORE ON GLENN HODDLE
    Presenter Kate Garraway joked “So you’re not a Spurs fan?” and he replied: “No, I am a Spurs fan.”
    Glenn had a cardiac arrest on his 61st birthday in 2018 while working as a pundit for BT Sport.
    Simon’s first aid kept him alive long enough to be rushed to hospital for open-heart surgery.
    A bypass op was then carried out by Mr Edmonson at St Barts, London.
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    Simon said: “I could tell that Glenn was seriously unwell.
    “Just being able to do CPR, and do it quickly, you give someone that chance of making it.”
    Glenn said: “I’m only here because of Steve and Simon. These guys saved my life.” More

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    I died for 8 minutes – but something special happened that day & gave me will to live, says footballer David Ginola

    FOOTBALL star David Ginola thought he was in remarkably good shape when he agreed to play a charity match in Mandelieu on the south coast of France – even scoring a goal.But the celebrations suddenly turned to horror when David ­collapsed and “died” for eight minutes after his heart stopped.
    Footie ace David Ginola with girlfriend Maeva DenatCredit: BackGrid
    David is backing The Sun’s Save A Life In 15 Minutes campaign, in which we are calling on people to learn CPRCredit: Splash News
    Footie ace Ginola cooling down after a game in 2001Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
    His friend, fellow footballer Frederic Mendy, valiantly performed CPR, keeping the blood pumping to David’s brain until medics arrived with a defibrillator that sent a series of ­electric shocks through his body, helping his heart restart.
    David, 56, says: “When you are unconscious, you are at a crossroads, and there are two paths: Life or death.
    “Why I chose life, I don’t know, because I was unconscious. But I am a fighter.”
    David is speaking exclusively to back The Sun’s Save A Life In 15 Minutes campaign, in which we are calling on people to learn CPR.
    Read More on David Ginola
    February is the British Heart ­Foundation’s heart month and as the charity’s latest ambassador, David is promoting its free online tool, ­RevivR, which can teach CPR and defibrillation skills in just 15 minutes
    Only half of us say we would be able to perform CPR if a loved one had a sudden cardiac arrest, despite latest data showing that around 80 per cent of such attacks out-of-hospital happen in the home.
    ‘Life brings you gifts’
    There are more than 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests in the UK each year and sadly fewer than one in ten people survive, often because those around them do not have the skills or ­confidence to perform CPR.
    David says: “At the match in 2016, a firefighter shocked me three times with the defibrillator then told my friend I was dead.
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    “She said if the heart doesn’t start again after three times, it is over — she was wrong.
    “But my friends could see I was fighting and told her to keep going.
    “She shocked me two more times and then my heart started again.
    “I met that firefighter a year later in Nice and she cried when she saw me.
    “She said it was like seeing a ghost.
    “I have to thank her and my friend.
    Maeva was introduced to David through mutual friends in a Cannes restaurantCredit: instagram
    David, pictured with Maeva and daughter Ever, says: ‘When your heart stops beating, they need to treat you as soon as possible’
    “The doctors said that if Frederic had not acted so quickly and performed CPR for over eight minutes, I would have been dead or left in a vegetative state as my brain was starved of oxygen.”
    One reason the former Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United player believes he came round was meeting his future ­girlfriend earlier that day.
    In a moment of fate, Maeva Denat, 38, was introduced to David through mutual friends in a Cannes restaurant.
    Less than an hour later, he left to play the fateful charity match.
    Model Maeva — who already has a daughter from a previous relationship — is now the mother of his five-year-old daughter, Ever, and the family live happily in the south of France ­having moved there from London during the pandemic.
    Fighting back tears, David says: “Life sometimes brings you gifts when you least expect it.
    “When I look at Ever, I realise that she wouldn’t be there if I didn’t choose to live.
    “That makes me full of joy and passion and affection because she is an amazing little girl who brings me joy. Sometimes she brings me to tears.”
    Christian Eriksen is helped by teammates after collapsing in 2021Credit: AFP
    Outwardly, the football legend seem­ed like the last person you would expect to suffer heart problems.
    But his mother Mireille died from a heart attack in 2005 aged 74, and dad Rene, now 87, had oper­ations to clear blocked arteries in 2003.
    And when it was later found that David’s arteries had been severely clogged, it was perhaps no surprise that he suffered a cardiac arrest in May 2016.
    It came just two months after he separated from his wife of 25 years Coraline, 54, the mother of his ­children, son Andrea, 31, and 28-year-old daughter Carla.
    After his heart was restarted, David was taken by air ambulance to a ­specialist cardiac hospital, Centre Cardio-Thoracique in Monaco where his blocked arteries were discovered.
    Surgeons performed a six-hour quadruple bypass.
    Thankfully, he was able to return to working as a TV host soon ­afterwards and by 2021 he was well enough to compete in a freezing Welsh castle on I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here!
    David says: “When your heart stops beating, they need to treat you as soon as possible. So performing CPR becomes vital. The doctor was relieved because I had been dead for so long, and it was a miracle I had not suffered brain damage.
    We need to educate people so at least one person in every ­family knows first aid. You will probably never have to use it but the ­knowledge will let you react if something happens.David Ginola
    “I thanked him for saving my life, but he told me, ‘My job was to ­perform the bypass. The one that saved your life was the person that performed CPR. Without him you would be dead.’”
    David later watched aghast as ­Manchester United midfielder ­Christian Eriksen, now 31, collapsed with a cardiac arrest while playing for his native Denmark at the Euros in 2021.
    He was also commentating at St James Park when a Newcastle fan suffered a suspected cardiac arrest in the stands that October.
    David said: “Those two incidents brought back bad memories, obviously. The good thing was that the medical staff reacted very quickly so they could do the right thing at the right time.
    “And that’s why it’s so important to learn CPR and how to recognise a heart issue.
    “We need to educate people and at least one person in every ­family should know basic first aid.
    “You will probably never have to use it, but the ­knowledge will allow you to react if something happens at home or at work.”
    David suffered depression after his near-death experience as he questioned his life and why he had been brought back.
    He reflects: “Life goes on and time is a healer. I have a new girlfriend for seven years now and a baby who is going to turn five in ten days’ time.
    “Life continues and you have to go along with it.
    “On the other hand, I still sometimes look at the scar on my chest and it reminds me, I was a lucky guy. I think there must be someone up there that pushed me to stay, but I don’t know why. I still have so many questions I cannot answer.
    “When I introduce Maeva to people, I say, ‘This is my girlfriend and we met the day I died.’
    “You could make a movie script out of our relationship because it’s hard to believe but this could happen to anyone. I’m proof that it does.”

    David is backing the British Heart Foundation’s Heart Month and its partnership with Omaze, which is offering the chance to win a stunning £3million house in North London.
    The draw will help raise funds for BHF’s research into heart diseases.
    Find out more at omaze.co.uk.
    For more information about Heart Month, visit bhf.org.uk/heart-month-2023.

    What are the symptoms?
    A CARDIAC arrest is an emergency that usually happens without warning.
    If someone is in cardiac arrest, they collapse suddenly and will be unconscious, unresponsive, not breathing or not breathing normally – this may also mean they are making gasping noises.
    CPR – Call, Push, Rescue
    Without immediate treatment, the person will die.
    If you see someone having a cardiac arrest, phone 999 and start CPR.
     Q) WHAT causes a cardiac arrest?
    A cardiac arrest is caused by a dangerous abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), cardiomyopathies (disease of the heart muscle), inherited heart conditions, heart valve disease, myocarditis, a heart attack, a severe haemorrhage, a severe drop in oxygen levels, electrocution or a drug overdose.
    Q) WHAT’S the difference between a cardiac arrest and a heart attack?
    A heart attack happens when the blood supply to the heart muscle is cut off. This is often caused by a clot in a coronary artery.
    A heart attack can lead to a cardiac arrest. It is important to get medical attention immediately by calling 999 for an ambulance if you have heart attack symptoms.
    Read More on The Sun
    Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the British Heart Foundation, says: “Every second counts when someone has a cardiac arrest, and knowing CPR could be the difference between life and death.
    “It only takes 15 minutes to learn with our free RevivR training tool – that’s a coffee break, half-time in the football or the time you might spend scrolling through social media. It could be the most important lesson you ever learn.”
    The Sun’s Save A Life In 15 Minutes campaign More

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    Former Premier League star reveals he nearly died after suffering heart attack on pitch before emergency surgery

    EX-Premier League star Branko Strupar has revealed how he almost died from a heart attack while playing football.The Belgium striker spent four seasons with Derby County before leaving for Dinamo Zagreb in 2003.
    Ex-Derby ace Branko Strupar revealed the terrifying details of his ordeal after suffering a heart attackCredit: Alamy
    Croatia-born Strupar won the Belgian league and cup with KRC Genk, and still lives in the country.
    But the 17-cap international is glad to be alive after needing an emergency operation last week.
    Strupar, 53, recalled: “I thought I had pain from a sore throat, but I went out that night as friends invited me for a game of football.
    “In hindsight, it could have turned out very badly. I could have died out there on the pitch.
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    “I began to feel worse and worse. After the game I went home, and my wife drove me to A&E.
    “The doctor on duty found out straight away what was wrong. A blood vessel was completely blocked.
    “Thankfully they were able to insert two stents via my groin, so I was no longer in danger.
    “I had a very difficult time last year, when both my parents died in quick succession, and I let myself go somewhat.
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    “Now it’s time for me to slam on the brakes. I’ll have to go and see the doctor again for a checkup in three months’ time.
    “My blood levels will need to be better.”
    Strupar scored England’s first goal of the new millennium when on target for Derby against Watford in January 2000.
    He struck 16 times in 41 league appearances for the Rams. More