BRUSSELS — Belgium under-21 international Gregory Mertens is critically ill in hospital after collapsing on the pitch during a reserve team match for Sporting Lokeren, his club said. The match against Genk was 15 minutes old when Mertens collapsed. Belgian media said he had suffered cardiac arrest and received CPR on the pitch, leading to the match being abandoned. “Our defender was immediately assisted by the medical team of Sporting Lokeren and KRC Genk,” a statement read. Club doctor Kris Peeters was quoted by website Nieuwsblad.be as saying the 24-year-old Mertens was in a critical condition. — Reuters