Skip to content

Ajax say Abdelhak Nouri's on-field medical treatment was 'inadequate'

during the UEFA Europa League Group G match between AFC Ajax and Panathinaikos FC at Amsterdam Arena on November 24, 2016 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Image: Ajax admit their on-filed treatment of Abdelhak Nouri was 'inadequate' when he collapsed in July 2017

Ajax have admitted to providing 'inadequate' on-field medical treatment for Abdelhak Nouri after the former midfielder collapsed during a pre-season friendly last year, the Dutch club's general manager Edwin van der Sar has said.

Nouri suffered a cardiac arrest during the match against German club Werder Bremen in July 2017 and despite being revived on the pitch and airlifted to a hospital, the 21-year-old suffered "serious and permanent" brain damage.

"We recognise our responsibility and liability for the consequences of this," Van der Sar said at a news conference. "For a long time we were convinced that Abdelhak had received the best possible care on the field."

The Dutch club said it had sought an external opinion during the incident and acted accordingly but further investigations showed a defibrillator should have been used sooner in the treatment.

"Had this happened, it's possible that Abdelhak would have come out in a better condition. This isn't certain, but it's a possibility," the former Manchester United goalkeeper added.

Nouri made 15 appearances for Ajax in his debut season in 2016/17.

World Cup Super 6
World Cup Super 6

The jackpot was won again on Tuesday night. Will you be the next winner? Enter your predictions here.

Around Sky