Togolese international Samuel Asamoah has suffered a serious neck injury after colliding with a pitch-side advertising board during a domestic fixture in China, his club Guangxi Pingguo confirmed, raising fears that he may be left paralysed.
Video footage from Sunday’s match in China’s second-tier League One shows the 31-year-old midfielder being shoved by an opponent while competing for the ball, sending him head-first into an LED advertising panel.
The club reported that Asamoah sustained fractures in his neck and nerve damage, and subsequently underwent surgery.
“He is at risk of high-level paraplegia and will miss all remaining games this season. His career may also be seriously affected,” Guangxi Pingguo said on Monday.
By Wednesday, the club provided an update, stating that Asamoah was recovering from surgery and in a stable condition.
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“Guangxi Pingguo FC sincerely thanks all fans and all walks of life for their concern and support for Samuel Asamoah,” the team said. “His recovery progress will be announced in due course after follow-up examinations.”
Asamoah spent the majority of his professional career in Belgium before moving to China last year. He has also been capped six times for Togo, according to football statistics website transfermarkt.com.
Citing Chinese football authorities, state-backed outlet The Paper noted that the advertising board was positioned three metres from the field, in accordance with international standards.
The opposition player involved, Chongqing Tonglianglong midfielder Zhang Zhixiong, received a yellow card following the incident.
