Former Newcastle star David Ginola makes Qatar World Cup joke after health fears

David Ginola has eased fears over his health following reports he was rushed to hospital on Thursday.
David Ginola.David Ginola.
David Ginola.

French newspaper Nice-Matin on Thursday afternoon reported the former Newcastle and Tottenham winger had suffered a cardiac arrest earlier in the day while playing football in Mandelieu, where he was attending a celebrity golf tournament.

Nice-Matin reported Ginola had been transferred from there by air to a hospital in Monaco, that he was intubated and ventilated, and was unconscious but in a stable condition.

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Subsequent reports suggested the 49-year-old, who last year briefly put himself forward as a candidate for the FIFA presidency, had in fact only fainted.

And on Thursday evening, Ginola gave a reassuring sign as he posted a message on Twitter which included a joke about the 2022 World Cup.

He said: "Footy match in the midday sun, not very clever. Now having some tests done.

"Whoever voted for a World Cup in Qatar in the summer?"

Ginola, who won 17 caps for France and also had spells at Aston Villa and Everton, ended his career as a professional player with retirement in 2002.

Tottenham tweeted their best wishes, saying: "Good to hear @teamginola is doing well. Everyone at the Club wishes you a speedy recovery!"