Sevilla youngster Puerta still in "critical condition"

Puerta, 22, remains in the hospital's intensive care unit on a life-support machine, with artificial breathing.

 Puerta suffered a heart attack after 35 minutes of Sevilla's first league match against Getafe on Saturday, and then suffered further heart attacks in the dressing-room, before being rushed to hospital.

 Hundreds of reporters, fans and well-wishers camped outside the hospital, waiting for good news which has still not come.

 On Monday the players and official of Betis - Sevilla's bitter crosstown rivals - visited the hospital.

 Telegrams of support for Puerta and his family have been pouring in from the government, from the media and from other football clubs.

 Puerta's Sevilla team-mates reluctantly left the hospital on Monday morning, to fly off to Athens for Tuesday's Champions League qualifier second leg match against AEK.

 Sevilla won the first leg 2-0, with Puerta at left-back.

 The Sevilla players had promised to win in Athens in order to dedicate the victory to Puerta.

 After Athens they fly on to Monaco to prepare for Friday's European Supercup showpiece against AC Milan.

 The only Sevilla player to miss the plane on Monday was Brazilian right-back Daniel Alves, who is demanding a move and refusing to make himself ineligible for Champions League action with another club by playing against AEK.

DPA