A referee died yesterday after collapsing with a heart attack on the pitch during a Division Three match in England.

Mike North was rushed to Southend General Hospital after collapsing in the centre circle three minutes before half-time during Southend United's home game against Mansfield.

A hospital spokesman said: "Mr North arrived here at about 4.15pm and despite efforts here at the hospital and earlier at the ground, we were unable to resuscitate him.

"The cause of death will not be established until a post mortem has taken place but it appears he suffered a cardiac arrest."

The spokesman said North (41) from Wimborne, Dorset, was married.

Several people had gone to the referee's aid as he lay motionless on the pitch at Southend's Roots Hall ground and after about five minutes he was taken off.

The players left the field immediately and shortly afterwards there was an announcement on the public address system that the match had been abandoned.

North was taken into a dressing room before being transferred to hospital.

Rivaldo's agent has rejected a claim that Barcelona are set to negotiate the transfer of the Brazilian forward to an "important" English club.

"There is absolutely no truth in this claim," Jose Maria Minguella said yesterday.

"We know about the claim but neither the player nor the club are going to be negotiating with another club about the future of the player."

The agent of Barcelona team mate and captain Pep Guardiola had said that negotiations between Barcelona and a premiership club would take place later this week.

When rumours of a possible move away from Barcelona surfaced last month Rivaldo said he was flattered by the interest of other clubs, but that any future transfer was in the hands of Barcelona.

"All I can say is that it gives me great pleasure to see my name linked with important clubs like Manchester United and Milan," Rivaldo said on his web site www.Rivaldo10.com.

"However, when I signed my improved contract I gave Barcelona all the say in any transfer. At the moment it is up to Barcelona to decide."

Rivaldo, who will be 29 on Thursday, is the leading scorer in the Spanish league this season with 19 goals.

Barcelona face Liverpool in the second leg of their UEFA Cup semi-final at Anfield on Thursday. The two sides fought out a 0-0 draw in the first leg.

A sell-out crowd turned up at Craven Cottage yesterday hoping to see Fulham crowned Division One champions but they had to wait until the third minute of added time before Sean Davis grabbed the equaliser to give them the point they needed to lift the title.

In a flowing move it was fitting that it was Davis, who had had a fine game, that volleyed the ball into the roof of the net.

It looked for a while as if Dutchman Gerald Sibon had spoiled the party with a 43rd minute corner kick that sailed straight into the net.

Fulham had at least three quarters of the possession but could not force a way through a packed defence, marshalled well by veterans Des Walker and Carlton Palmer.

A furious finale nearly saw Saha find the net with a header before Davis snatched it at the end, only to be booked following his celebrations.