Neto admits that it was ‘very scary’ when Tom Lockyer collapsed on Saturday (Picture: Getty)
AFC Bournemouth captain Neto has sent an emotional message to Tom Lockyer after the Luton Town star suffered a cardiac arrest on Saturday.
The Cherries and Luton saw their Premier League meeting at the Vitality Stadium abandoned due to the medical emergency, which occurred in the second half as Lockyer worryingly collapsed in an off-the-ball incident with no-one around him.
Saturday’s clash, which was postponed in the 59th minute, will be replayed in full, the Premier League announced on Wednesday, although a new date is not yet set.
After Lockyer was rushed to hospital, Luton confirmed on Saturday that Lockyer was ‘stable and currently undergoing further tests’, while a day later, they put out a statement asking for privacy and that they would provide updates in due course.
Since his cardiac arrest during the match at Bournemouth, Luton have confirmed that the 29-year-old defender is undergoing ‘tests and scans’ and is ‘awaiting the results before the next steps for his recovery are determined’.
Lockyer also collapsed during Luton’s Championship play-off final victory over Coventry City in May – which secured their promotion to the Premier League – and the Wales international, captain of the Hatters, had heart surgery before being given the all-clear to return to action in June.
There has been an outpouring of love and support for Lockyer from around the footballing world since the incident at Bournemouth and Cherries captain Neto has now opened up about the distressing scenes on the south coast.
‘It was a very bad feeling,’ the Brazilian goalkeeper told Sky Sports. ‘Everybody on the pitch can put themselves in that situation. You think, ‘Oh my God, this can happen to anybody here’ – of course, we try to do checks, but it can happen.
‘It was a very bad feeling but thank God he is okay and he is alive, that is the most important thing. It was a scary moment.
‘I thought everybody – not just the players – but the staff, the people working at the game, they could feel how important [it was]. It is difficult, because day-by-day, we sometimes forget we can go at any moment. Everybody in that moment realised that. It was bad.
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‘But when we came back [onto the pitch], I thought it was important how the fans from Bournemouth and Luton appreciated us. Thank God everything is okay now.
‘That moment was very scary. It was very heavy. But after everybody understood he was okay, he was living and awake, understanding the situation, we tried to just breathe and thank God.
‘We have to keep moving, but after you close your eyes, that image can come back. It’s difficult. I’ve had loss in my life and we can understand the world does not stop for it. Thank God he is okay and with his family.’
Meanwhile, the Premier League have confirmed that the match between Bournemouth and Luton will be replayed in full.
‘Following the on-field medical emergency involving Luton Town FC player Tom Lockyer, the Premier League Board has decided last Saturday’s AFC Bournemouth v Luton Town FC fixture will be replayed in full,’ read a statement on Wednesday.
‘The game will be rescheduled for later in the season, with a date to be confirmed following consultation with relevant parties.
‘The decision to abandon the match in the 59th minute was made collectively between the match officials, players, managers from both clubs and the Premier League.
‘The League would like to thank the medical staff and all those involved for their swift actions in responding to what was an extremely upsetting situation for everyone.
‘We wish Tom a continued recovery and our thoughts are with him, his family and all those at Luton Town FC.’
MORE : Luton Town confirm Tom Lockyer suffered cardiac arrest but is now ‘stable’