The Football Association have confirmed that they will issue over 900 defibrillators to Premier League and Football League clubs after reaching a deal with the British Heart Foundation.
The partnership has been announced a year after former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba suffered a cardiac arrest during an FA Cup clash with Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.
The £1.2m investment, which will be split three ways by the FA, BHF and football clubs, will lead to players, staff and fans being given training on how to use the equipment and other life-saving techniques.
"There is no doubt how valuable these pieces of equipment can be, and if they save just one life then the investment is worth it," England U21 boss Stuart Pearce said. "The investment of £800,000 from the FA and BHF makes it much easier for clubs to get their hands on a piece of kit that ordinarily would be too expensive for them.
"I think we all remember the moment Fabrice collapsed on the pitch at White Hart Lane and how that stunned the football world into thinking about these issues.
"It's important that football clubs take the opportunity to make sure we see more stories of survival in the future."
Muamba was forced to retire from the game following the incident.
