Muamba Makes Emotional Return To Tottenham

Fabrice Muamba has made an emotional return to the ground where he suffered a cardiac arrest earlier this year.

The then Bolton player collapsed at White Hart Lane March during an FA Cup tie in March against Tottenham. His heart stopped for 78 minutes before 15 shocks from a defibrillator in hospital got it beating again.

And the former midfielder received warm applause from thousands of fans when walked around the pitch at half-time during Spurs' Europa League match against Maribor.

Muamba, who has now retired from football, received a standing ovation from both sets of supporters and pointed to the exact spot where his heart first stopped.

He had to wipe away the tears before addressing the crowd.

"I can't express... All I can say is thanks to the Tottenham fans the way they reacted," he said.

"There are people out there who prayed for me. I want to thank the chairman and to all the Spurs fans. I am grateful to them. They are awesome fans."

Muamba has recently confirmed that he's been invited by Fifa president Sepp Blatter to discuss a potential role at world football's governing body.

On the pitch, Tottenham easily beat their Slovenian opponents 3-1, thanks to a hat-trick from Jermain Defoe.