Video – Spanish match abandoned as player collapses and rushed to hospital with teammates in tears

A third-division match between Cordoba and Racing de Ferrol in Spain was called off after a player fainted on the field. An ambulance responded quickly and drove onto the playing area to assist Cordoba star Dragisa Gudelj before transporting him to a neighboring hospital once he had stabilized.

After only 10 minutes of play, the central defender collapsed, knocking his colleagues senseless. According to the Washington Post, Gudelj went into cardiac arrest during the game and had to be resuscitated by paramedics on the field.

Cordoba stars sobbed as they watched their buddy receive treatment, with staff and opponents seeking to console the most distressed players. Gudelj then recovered consciousness as he entered the ambulance, with the defender requesting to continue playing rather than seeking more medical attention.

Once Gudelj left the field, match officials conferred with players from both squads and agreed to postpone the game until the Serbian’s condition was clarified and they were informed that he was fine.

The match may yet be played on Saturday evening, with the Racing team waiting at adjacent facilities for the Royal Spanish Football Federation to give their approval for the game to be completed. The score was 1-1 at the time of Gudelj’s breakdown, after an early goal by Racing de Ferrol star Fran Manzanara and a headed equalizer by Cordoba’s Jose Ruiz.

Despite his protests, Gudelj was transported to the Reina Sofa University Hospital for examination, which is only a short drive from Cordoba’s stadium, the Stadium Nuevo Arcangel.

Cordoba CEO Javier Gonzalez Calvo spoke to the media about the event, assuring fans about the defender’s condition, telling the local press: “The player is stable, has suffered a cardio-respiratory arrest, and is going to remain, understandably, admitted.”

The club also issued a message on social media thanking their medical team for saving their player. “From Cordoba, we would like to thank our medical services (doctors José Miguel Bretones, Antonio Escribano, and Martn Luna), our physiotherapists Lex Rueda and Fran Plaza, the help from Los ngeles de la Noche for their prompt action, as well as doctor Verónica Arroyo and cardiologist José Mara Segura.” Thank you for rescuing Dragi. Similarly, we appreciate all of Racing de Ferrol’s understanding and availability.”

Gudelj is the younger brother of Serbia international Nemanja Gudelj, who has appeared in 23 La Liga games for Sevilla this season, scoring three times. The 31-year-old is on international duty for his country, having played 90 minutes against Lithuania on Friday.