It was a heart problem: Noah Fadiga will have a defibrillator installed after his discomfort against Standard

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Victim of discomfort during the match played with La Gantoise against Standard last weekend, Noah Fadiga was diagnosed with myocarditis. This was the cause of a cardiac arrhythmia, which led to his collapse on the pitch on Sunday.

“The pursuit of his career is not compromised”reassured the Ghent club in a press release published on Wednesday, but a defibrillator will be installed to “ensure protection” of the player. According to the press release, the in-depth examinations that Noah Fadiga underwent following his illness “revealed that he had developed scar tissue on the heart muscle as a result of myocarditis, an inflammation following a viral infection.”

Myocarditis can cause cardiac arrhythmia, as it did. “The continuation of Noah’s career is not compromised. He will now follow the appropriate treatment and have a defibrillator implanted preventively”continued the Ghent club, whose comments were supported by cardiologist Pedro Brugada, the player’s attending physician. “Noah suffered a heart arrhythmia, which quickly stopped on its own, but was recorded using a chip. The problem can be solved and, thanks to a defibrillator, we also ensure Noah’s protection in the future.”

Noah’s father, Khalilou Fadiga, a player who played for Lommel, Club Brugge, La Gantoise and Beerschot, also suffered from heart problems. La Gantoise however explained that “the hypothesis of a hereditary problem had been ruled out”after it was announced in July 2023 that Noah Fadiga was suffering from heart problems. Pedro Brugada had authorized the player to “continue his career without any risk”. The medical commission of the French football federation nevertheless decided otherwise, and revoked the license of the player who had to leave his then club, Stade Brestois.