VIEWERS watched in horror last night as medics battled in vain to save a Premiership footballer who collapsed during an international screened live on satellite TV.

Cameroon star Marc-Vivien Foe, linked with a possible move to Middlesbrough this summer, collapsed 15 minutes before the end of his country's Confederations Cup semi-final against Colombia in the French City of Lyon.

Eurosport satellite viewers saw the 28-year-old midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Manchester City, fall to the ground with a suspected heart attack.

The former West Ham player was carried to the side of the Stade Gerland pitch where medical staff tried for 45 minutes to resuscitate him without success.

FIFA confirmed his death in a statement ahead of the second semi-final between France and Turkey in Paris.

"FIFA and the world family of football want to give his family and the Cameroon team their condolences."

The match in Paris was preceded by the image of Foe on the stadium's big screen and a minute's silence.

Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry - who had been informed of Foe's death minutes before kick-off - dedicated the opening goal against Turkey to him, pointing to the sky after netting in the 12th minute.

Foe was loaned to Manchester City after starring for his country at last summer's World Cup, his second spell in England after a year with West Ham.

Former West Ham manager Harry Redknapp, who signed Foe for £4m and watched the player blossom in nearly 16 months, said: "It's come as such a shock - he was such a powerful, strong man.

"Never have I seen someone in better physical condition than Marc, and you couldn't have met a nicer boy than him. He was a fantastic person and not a nasty person.

"Everyone at West Ham loved him and you only have to see the reactions of the French players tonight when they were lining up for the national anthems to see how popular he was in the game.

"Everyone who came into contact with him would have loved the man. He was such a special person and a terrific footballer."

Only yesterday afternoon, Foe's agent was talking optimistically of a move back to the Premiership, possibly to Middlesbrough, after almost reaching a deal to terminate the final year of his contract with French club Lyon.

He had first come to prominence in France, when he played under current Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier at Lens in a side which won the French title.

A dream move to Manchester United collapsed in 1998 when he broke a leg in the build-up to that summer's World Cup Finals.

His chance in the Premiership came with West Ham, but he lasted only a single season before he left for Lyon.

Three years ago, he contracted malaria but fought his way back to fitness to win his second French title with Lyon 12 months ago.

He took his time to settle after the move to Manchester City last season, but eventually became a key figure.

His first goal for the club came against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light in November, and his last two against the same opposition in April.