APOEL defender Kontis suffers heart attack

APOEL FC defender Christos Kontis's career is in doubt after he had a heart attack following his club's 0-0 draw against AEK Larnaca FC on Monday.

The 36-year-old, who has featured in 43 UEFA club competition games, played the full 90 minutes of the league encounter but complained of feeling faint after the final whistle, having previously felt chest pains all week. He was taken to hospital in Nicosia where doctors confirmed he had suffered a heart attack and carried out an angioplasty on Tuesday morning, saying his condition had improved but he was unlikely to play again.

Former APOEL player and current board member Takis Antoniou said: "We cannot say too much at this moment. We will need to see what the tests reveal. I hope it is nothing serious. Kontis is very much loved by the entire APOEL community and we all hope that he makes a full and speedy recovery." The Greek player started both legs of the play-off victory against Wisła Kraków which ensured his side's place in the group stage.

The news will be a blow to APOEL who kick off their UEFA Champions League campaign against FC Zenit St Petersburg on 13 September. The Cypriot club are aiming to progress from Group G, which also contains FC Porto and FC Shakhtar Donetsk.