Marc-Vivien Foe

Marc-Vivien Foe (May 1, 1975 - June 26, 2003) was a Cameroonian midfield football player, born in Nkolo, Cameroon.

Foe began his professional career with Canon Yaounde[?] in the Cameroonian league. He made an appearance in the 1994 World Cup which prompted a move to France where he played for RC Lens[?] in the French 1st division. He was targetted by Manchester United F.C. but broke his leg before any deals were made. As a result, he missed the 1998 World Cup. He recovered and got to play in the English Premier League when he moved to West Ham United F.C. in 1999.

He moved back to France to play for Olympique Lyonnais[?] in 2000. In that same year, he suffered from a bout of malaria but recovered and went on to win the French league Cup in 2002. Foe made a return to the English Premier League when he was loaned to Manchester City F.C. where he had a successful season, scoring the team's last goal at their Maine Road stadium.

On June 26, 2003, Foe collapsed during the FIFA Confederations Cup[?] semifinal between his country and Colombia, and despite immediate medical attention he died shortly afterward in hospital. The game was being played at the Stade Gerland in Lyon, the home stadium of Olympique Lyonnais[?]. The cause of Foe's death remains unclear, with the possibilities of a heart attack, a stroke or an aneurysm[?] all tested and discounted. Medical officials have ruled out any suggestion of negligence on the pitch.

Foe's death caused a profound shock for the entire football world. Numerous tributes to the man's joyous personality and infectious humour have been expressed in the media. Many suggestions for ways to honour the life of Marc-Vivien Foe have been made: the Confederations Cup[?] and the Stade Gerland may be renamed after him, and Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan[?] has announced that the club will no longer use the number 23 shirt Foe wore during his successful season there.

Teams

• Lens (1995 - 1999)
• West Ham United F.C. (1999/2000)
• Olympique Lyonnais[?] (2000-2002)
• Manchester City F.C. (2002/2003)

• Cameroonian national football team (1993-2003)
  • Debut against Mexico
  • Appearances: 64
  • World Cup appearances: 1994 2002