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Heart attacks and car crashes: the off-field Fifa World Cup drama in China

Doctors issue health warning for soccer fans with high blood pressure or heart disease

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A Chongqing motorist was ordered to pay for repairs to a traffic sign after he crashed into it while watching a World Cup match. Photo: Thepaper.cn
Sarah Zhengin Beijing

The Fifa World Cup has yet to reach the knockout stage but the tournament has already been a close call for one diehard Chinese soccer fan.

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A 56-year-old supporter of Germany suffered a heart attack in the Hubei provincial capital of Wuhan after watching his team’s shock loss to Mexico over the weekend, the Wuhan Evening News reported.

The 56-year-old man, only identified by his surname Zhao, was admitted to hospital and his condition stabilised, with doctors noting his history of high blood pressure, the report said.

China did not qualify for the tournament in Russia but medical professionals have nonetheless warned sports fans with heart disease or high blood pressure that they are at increased risk of heart attack when watching sporting events.

The off-field drama continued on Monday in the southwestern megacity of Chongqing where one motorist ran his car off the road and ploughed into a sign near the airport, distracted by a live feed of the match between Belgium and Panama, the Chongqing Morning Post reported on Tuesday.

The man, surnamed Jia, was not injured but the car sustained extensive damage.

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