TheCable

Belgium fourth-tier league player, Tim Nicot, has become the second player to die of cardiac arrest in the past two weeks in the country.

The Wilrijk-Beerschot left-back was playing in a tournament in Hemiksem when he collapsed on Friday.

The 23-year-old was placed in an induced coma and his club confirmed his death on Monday.

In April, Gregory Mertens died of heart failure, three days after collapsing during a match.

The 24-year-old Lokeren defender was treated on the pitch during the first half of a reserve-team game with Genk but did not recover after time in hospital on a life-support machine.

A club statement said Nicot “fought like a bear” and was the “idol of our supporters”.

He was also described as “always in a good mood, always making time for an umpteenth selfie with a fan”.

Wesley Snoeys paid tribute to his former teammate.

“So many questions. Always the same question comes up: why why why? You left us far too soon. I will never forget you. Forever in my heart,” he said.

Jef Snyders, another of his colleague, spoke on the demise of Nicot.

“Football will never be the same anymore. Rest in peace mate.”