Ajax Amsterdam’s Dutch league away game against RKC Waalwijk was abandoned in the 84th minute on Saturday. The abandonment occurred after RKC goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen was knocked out in a clash with an opposing player. Vaessen went down after a collision with Ajax forward Brian Brobbey, causing panicked reactions from his team mates who urgently called for medical help.
To shield Vaessen from the public eye, screens were put up around the goalkeeper. Both teams watched with tears in their eyes as a defibrillator was rushed onto the field. Vaessen remained motionless on the field for several minutes before being carried away on a stretcher. Following deliberations, the decision was made to call off the game, and both teams went inside.
RKC director Frank van Mosselveld provided an update about an hour after the incident, stating, “Etienne was knocked out for a while.” He also mentioned that their medical staff immediately began reanimation efforts, but it appeared that the issue was not related to Vaessen’s heart. When Vaessen left the field, he regained consciousness but was disoriented about his location. Dutch newspaper Telegraaf reported that Vaessen, 28, had been taken to the hospital.
At the time of the game’s suspension, Ajax was leading 3-2. The match was halted due to the serious nature of Vaessen’s injury.
