Togo international midfielder Samuel Asamoah has suffered a life-threatening injury after breaking his neck during a Chinese League One match, leaving him at risk of paraplegia. The horrifying incident occurred on Sunday when the 31-year-old, who plays for Guangxi Pingguo, collided head-first with a pitch-side LED advertising board following a shove from an opposing player.
Video footage of the moment shows Asamoah crashing violently into the rigid panel while attempting to control the ball near the touchline. The collision immediately left him motionless on the ground, prompting medical staff to rush to his aid.
In an official statement released on Monday, Guangxi Pingguo confirmed that Asamoah suffered multiple fractures to his neck and extensive nerve damage. The club described his condition as “high-level paraplegia,” a term that indicates a serious spinal cord injury that could leave him unable to move the lower part of his body.
Asamoah underwent emergency surgery shortly after the incident and is currently in stable condition, though the club admits his football career is in jeopardy. Doctors are expected to provide further updates after a series of follow-up examinations.
The opposing player, Zhang Zhixiong of Chongqing Tonglianglong, received only a yellow card for the push that led to the collision — a decision that has sparked debate among fans and analysts over disciplinary standards and on-field safety.
The accident has also reignited global discussions about player safety and the placement of pitch-side advertising boards. Critics argue that rigid LED panels remain dangerously close to the field of play, even though Chinese football authorities insist the boards met the required three-metre safety distance under international regulations.
Messages of support have flooded in for Asamoah from across the football world, with many calling for a complete review of stadium safety protocols. For now, the focus remains on his recovery as he begins what could be a long and uncertain rehabilitation journey.
The Samuel Asamoah broken neck incident is a sobering reminder of the ever-present physical risks faced by professional footballers and the urgent need for stricter player protection measures.
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