A club statement read: "Today it happened that no one could ever suspect or dare. Much too soon, we say goodbye to Gregory Mertens (24).
"We are a football club. Everyone in and around the club breathes football. But suddenly something happens which we realize that football is just football. Today is such a time.
"On Monday Gregory suffered a heart failure during the reserve game between KRC Genk and Sporting Lokeren.
TWITTER/MARCELO ROBALINHO
Gregory Mertens receiving treatment on the pitch
"Despite the good medical care of our own sports staff and colleagues in Genk, it soon appeared that the situation was very serious.
"Gregory was on the field reanimated by a MUG team and transferred to the hospital in Genk.
"The medical staff has done everything to save Gregory, but they finally had to acknowledge their impotence.
"Today, at around 16.30 he passed. The family has been able to say goodbye."
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