Togolese international midfielder Samuel Asamoah is battling for recovery after suffering a broken neck and nerve damage in a horrifying on-pitch accident during a Chinese League One match on Sunday.
The 31-year-old Guangxi Pingguo player collided head-first with a pitch-side LED advertising board following a push from an opponent.
Video footage captured the devastating moment when Asamoah was shoved by Chongqing Tonglianglong midfielder Zhang Zhixiong while chasing the ball, sending him crashing violently into the board.
The referee immediately stopped play, with Zhang receiving a yellow card for the foul.
Guangxi Pingguo FC released a statement confirming that Asamoah sustained a neck fracture and nerve damage, describing his condition as extremely serious.
“Following the accident, the player underwent emergency surgery,” the club said.
“Samuel Asamoah is at risk of high-level paraplegia, and his career may also be seriously affected.”
The club added that Asamoah would miss the remainder of the current season as doctors continue to monitor his condition.
By Wednesday, Guangxi Pingguo provided a more encouraging update, confirming that Asamoah’s condition had stabilized.
“His recovery progress will be announced in due course after follow-up examinations,” the club shared. “We sincerely thank everyone for their concern and prayers.”
Meanwhile, Chinese football authorities have addressed growing criticism over stadium safety following the incident.
Reports from state-backed outlet The Paper revealed that the LED advertising panel was positioned three metres from the pitch, which they said complies with international football standards.
However, fans and safety experts online have questioned whether the proximity of the board contributed to the severity of Asamoah’s injuries, calling for a review of stadium safety regulations.
Before moving to China last year, Asamoah enjoyed a successful football career in Belgium, representing clubs such as STVV and KAS Eupen.
He has earned six caps for the Togo national team, making him one of the country’s notable midfield exports.
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The player that pushed him should be banned for some games if not the entire season. That’s attempted murder. Quick recovery to him