David Ginola is awaiting test results after collapsing during a football match on the French Riviera, his spokesperson said, amid reports he underwent a major heart bypass operation overnight.
There have been a number of conflicting reports over exactly what happened when the former Newcastle United footballer fell ill and was hospitalised on Thursday.
Nice-Matin reports the 49-year-old suffered a cardiac arrest at around 4.30pm local time in the southern resort of Mandelieu during a tournament.
He collapsed on a football pitch in the grounds of the home of Jean-Stéphane Camérini, the organiser of the Mapauto Golf Cup.
Jean Philippe Lustyk, a French sports journalist, told French media Ginola had a heart attack and was in a coma, sparking further fears for his well-being.
On Friday, Nice-Matin quoted a source claiming Ginola was recovering from five-hour quadruple heart bypass surgery.
Ginola has not commented on these reports, and his official Twitter account shared an update this morning saying he just needs to rest.
A representative for Ginola denied claims he is in a coma. She told the Independent he is being kept in hospital as they await test results which are expected to come back this afternoon.
The French footballer made a total of 195 appearances in the Premier League for Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Everton, scoring 21 goals. He was signed to Newcastle United for £2.5 million in 1995 and later voted the PFA Player of the Year in 1999 for his final season for Spurs, in which he helped guide the club to the League Cup.
