The match between RKC Waalwijk and Ajax in the Eredivisie (the first football league of the Netherlands) was abandoned in the 84th minute after the home goalkeeper Etienne Wassen lost consciousness after contact with an opponent.

Goalkeeper Etienne Wassen was carried off the field on a stretcherPhoto: Broer van den Boom/Orange Pictures/Shutterstock Editorial/Profimedia

RKC Waalwijk v Ajax match suspended – goalkeeper Etienne Wassen almost died on the pitch

With the score 3:2 in favor of Ajax, in the 84th minute, goalkeeper Etienne Wassen (28 years old) received a blow to the head after contact with Brian Brobby.

Etienne was lying unconscious on the field, and doctors from both teams quickly came onto the field.

After that, panic began, and during the intervention of doctors, a protective encirclement of blankets was formed.

Etienne Wassen was resuscitated on the field and then rushed to the hospital.

“He is conscious, but does not remember what happened. I want to congratulate the medical teams.

Doctors kept him alive because he was unresponsive. It seems to be related to a blow to the head. He lost consciousness from that,” RKC director Frank van Mosselveld was quoted as saying by News.ro.

Play did not resume, with the stadium announcer announcing that players from both teams were in a state of shock after what had happened and that they could no longer think about playing the remaining minutes.