Former West Ham goalkeeper collapses on live TV ahead of Real Madrid vs AC Milan friendly

Former West Ham goalkeeper and Premier League icon Shaka Hislop collapsed during the broadcast of Real Madrid and AC Milan’s friendly in America.

The former goalkeeper played for West Ham, Portsmouth, and Newcastle in a 15-year career that saw him play in two FA Cup finals and win the Intertoto Cup with the Hammers and he has become an analyst for ESPN since his retirement.

Hislop was part of ESPN’s broadcast team in Pasadena, California, for the friendly match and had been going through the pre-match analysis with partner Dan Thomas before his knees buckled under him, causing him to faint.

The cause of Hislop’s collapse is still unknown, but ESPN noted that the former goalkeeper was conscious and talking, with further tests to come.

Hislop’s broadcast partner, Thomas, revealed an update on the former goalkeeper’s situation at half-time, saying, “My mate, Shaka, not here, but as it stands, it's good news, he's conscious, he's talking, I think he's a little embarrassed about it all.

“He's apologised profusely. Not a man who likes people to make a fuss of him.”

Thomas also noted that the station had spoken to Hislop’s wife, although the cause of the former goalkeeper’s collapse still needed to be investigated.

He said, “Obviously far too early to make any sort of diagnosis, but the important thing is, that Shaka's conscious and we spoke to his family as well, because you imagine seeing that happen live.

“We spoke to his wife and things are looking OK.”

Hislop is expected to return to ESPN’s programs when he recovers fully.