Tributes flow in following death of Cameroon star

Tributes from across the footballing world were continuing to pour into today following the death of Cameroon international, Marc-Vivien Foe.

Foe died after collapsing during Thursday night's Confederation Cup semi-final match between Cameroon and Colombia in Lyon, France.

He was stretchered off and taken to hospital were he was pronounced dead 45 minutes later.

Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan, who managed Foe during his loan spell last season, described the Cameroon star as "not only a special footballer but a very special person".

"We will all miss his smile and his personality. It was a privilege to work with him for the past year and we were still in the process of trying to negotiate a deal that would have made him a City player," he added.

City director Dennis Tueart has confirmed the club will retire the number 23 shirt, which Foe wore during his time at the club, as a mark of respect to the midfielder.

Foe's former West Ham boss, Harry Redknapp described him as a "special boy" and a "fantastic person".

His present club Olympique Lyonnais paid tribute to the star on their official website saying: "Marc-Vivien Foe will leave us the memory of a charming boy, the incarnation of the joy in life.

"We will keep of him his bursts of laughter, the music which comes out of the changing room, and his kindness away from the ground.

"Marco, we will not forget you."

An autopsy will be carried out to determine the cause of his death, however a heart attack is the suspected cause of death.

Incidentally, this Sunday's Confederation Cup Final between Cameroon and France will go ahead despite protests from some quarters. FIFA have confirmed that pre and post-match entertainment has been cancelled.

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