30 September 2023 , 21:02
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RKC Waalwijk's game against Ajax was abandoned on Saturday night after goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen appeared to suffer a serious injury.
Vaessen was left hurt on the ground after colliding with Ajax forward Brian Brobbey in the 84th minute of the Eredivisie game. Medics rushed onto the pitch within seconds of the collision to treat the 28-year-old, while stewards held sheets around him.
RKC players were in tears as Vaessen received treatment before being taken off on a stretcher. Ajax were leading 3-2 when the incident happened and the game will be resumed at a later date. RKC provided an update on Vaessen on Saturday night.
RKC wrote on X: "Dear RKC members, We are extremely shocked by the incident on the field with our goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen. We can announce that, after extensive medical examination, he is conscious and has been transported to hospital for further examination. We wish Etienne a lot of strength and strength and hope to have him with us again soon."
RKC chief Frank van Mosselveld also spoke to ESPN about Vaessen's condition. He said: "He was approachable, but he completely forgot what happened. But he responded again. I would like to pay a big compliment to the medical people.
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"They immediately resuscitated him because he was not responding and was out. That is the medical protocol. Fortunately, as it looks now, it was nothing to do with the heart. It had to do with the blow he received on the side of the head. That caused him to pass out."
Eredivisie described Van Mosselveld's update as a "hopeful message" and offered their support to Vaessen on X. The league's official account wrote: "Stay strong, Etienne. We think of you."
RKC players were in tears following the incident (Getty Images)RKC will provide further updates in due course. Ajax wrote on X: "We are thinking of you, Etienne... This is about more than football. Praying you're okay, Etienne."
The incident unfolded when Brobbey was played through on goal. The Ajax striker's heavy touch allowed Vaessen to close him down, but the goalkeeper needed urgent medical attention when Brobbey's right foot collided with his head in a 50/50 challenge.
Players were consoled by coaches and stewards as Vaessen was taken off on a stretcher. The goalkeeper made his debut for RKC in 2016 and has played 186 games for the club, helping them win promotion to the Eredivisie in 2019.