FA Chairman David Bernstein paid tribute to Bolton Wanderers' Fabrice Muamba, who on Wednesday retired from professional football aged 24.

On 17 March at White Hart Lane, The FA Cup Sixth Round tie between Tottenham Hotspur and Muamba's Bolton Wanderers side was 41 minutes old when the Congo-born midfielder collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The medical teams of both clubs, as well as the paramedics, were swift to react, which played a major part in saving the former England Under-21 player's life. Muamba spent 30 days in hospital in London and has since continued his recovery.

However, on the advice of medical team and cardiologists from both England and across Europe this week, the ex-Arsenal and Birmingham City star announced his retirement.

"On behalf of everybody at The FA I'd like to say how sorry we are to learn that Fabrice Muamba has had to end his professional football career," said Bernstein, who welcomed Muamba to Wembley as a special guest at The FA Cup Final in May.

"His recovery has been miraculous and a great tribute to all who have been involved. I would like to wish him the very best for the future and I know that the thoughts of the entire football family will be with him."