The football game between the Dutch first division football teams RKC Waalwijk and Ajax Amsterdam was canceled in the 84th minute due to a serious hit to the head by Waalwijk’s goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen. Ex-Leipzig player Brian Brobbey (21) accidentally hit Vaessen in the head as he was falling out of his goal while trying to score the decisive 4-2 for Ajax – the keeper collapsed and remained motionless.
The referee immediately stopped the game, paramedics rushed to take care of Vaessen behind the curtains and, in accordance with safety protocol, also carried out resuscitation measures because Vaessen did not react.
Shortly afterwards, the goalkeeper regained consciousness, was carried off the pitch on a stretcher and taken to hospital a short time later. “He was responsive again but couldn’t remember what happened. I would like to give a big compliment to the doctors. They immediately resuscitated him because he was unresponsive. That’s the medical protocol. Luckily,” said RKC director Frank van Mosselveld.
Hit the head
The fact that Vaessen was unconscious had nothing to do with his heart: “It had to do with the blow he received on the side of the head. That caused him to faint.”
With the score at 3-2 for Ajax, the game was not restarted after consultation with both teams. “This is about more than just football. We pray that you are well, Etienne,” Ajax wrote on X, formerly Twitter.