Uruguayan footballer Alexis Viera shot during a robbery

Rio de Janeiro: Uruguayan footballer Alexis Viera suffered serious injuries after being shot in the chest during a robbery in Colombia, doctors have said.

The 36-year-old, a goalkeeper for Depor in Colombia's second division, underwent emergency surgery and was in intensive care on Wednesday, reports Xinhua news agency.

Media reports said Viera and his partner, Andrea Fabiana, were confronted by the assailants after leaving a bank. Viera is said to have been shot after struggling with the thieves.

Surgeon Alberto Garcia said Viera sustained a spinal injury and lost sensation in his legs.

Viera's career has included spells at Colombia's America de Cali and Uruguayan giants Penarol and Nacional. Police are offering a reward of about $15,000 for information about the incident.