Prosecutors begin probe into Patrick Ekeng death in Romania

Prosecutors are investigating the sudden death of Dinamo Bucharest and Cameroon midfielder Patrick Ekeng after he collapsed during a match in the Romanian capital.

The 26-year-old Ekeng fell to the ground seven minutes after going on as a substitute in a match between Dinamo and Viitorul Constanta on Friday.

The match was at 3-3 and being broadcast live when Ekeng collapsed in the 69th minute. Local media said he had a heart attack.

Doctors tried to resuscitate Ekeng for an hour at Floreasca Emergency Hospital, where dozens of fans gathered outside.

Fans and some officials have criticized what they claimed were delays in treating Ekeng on the pitch and in taking him by ambulance to the nearby hospital.

Players and staff were seen crying as events unfolded. Some went with him to the hospital.

Ekeng also played for Spanish club Cordoba CF, Swiss club Lausanne, and French club Le Mans. He moved to Dinamo in 2015.

Romania's football federation said Saturday the final of the Romanian Cup will be put back a week to May 17 due to Ekeng's death.

Dinamo plays CFR Cluj in the final.