Roma defender Evan Ndicka has been taken to hospital for tests after collapsing during his team’s Serie A match against Udinese.
The match was stopped with a score of 1-1.
Ndicka went to the ground holding his chest midway through the second half. The medical team then installed a defibrillator, which was not necessary.
After some time, Ndicka was then taken away on a stretcher and appeared to give a thumbs up, although the players on the pitch were visibly shaken by the incident. The crowd at Udinese’s Stadio Friuli applauded as the 24-year-old left the pitch.
Roma coach Daniele De Rossi then went to the locker room to check on Ndicka. Following a consultation with referee Luca Parietto, the match was abandoned.
“Following the medical emergency on the pitch involving Evan Ndicka, the match between Udinese and Roma has been suspended,” a Roma statement said.
“The player is conscious and has been taken to hospital for further checks.
“Forza Evan, we are all with you!
Roberto Pererya had given Udinese the lead in the first half before Roma striker Romelu Lukaku equalized in the 64th minute. The match was suspended seven minutes later.
It remains to be seen whether the Udinese-Roma match will be replayed in its entirety or from the moment it was abandoned.
The Premier League match between Bournemouth and Luton Town earlier this season, which was also abandoned at 1-1 after the latter’s Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch during the second half, was later replayed in its entirety.
(Tiziana Fabi/AFP via Getty Images)