Soccer-Roma defender Ndicka collapses on pitch with match abandoned

Soccer Football – Serie A – Udinese v AS Roma – Dacia Arena, Udine, Italy – April 14, 2024 AS Roma’s Evan Ndicka receives medical attention after collapsing on the pitch before the match was suspended REUTERS/Stringer

(Reuters) -AS Roma defender Evan Ndicka collapsed on the field in the second half at Udinese on Sunday and had to be taken off on a stretcher, with the Serie A match later abandoned.

Soccer Football – Serie A – Udinese v AS Roma – Dacia Arena, Udine, Italy – April 14, 2024 AS Roma’s Evan Ndicka receives medical attention after collapsing on the pitch REUTERS/Stringer

The score was 1-1 when the Ivory Coast central defender fell backwards onto the pitch 18 minutes from time.

Ndicka was conscious but clearly in pain, rubbing his chest with his right hand as the medical team rushed towards him.

He was then carried off, giving a thumbs-up gesture.

“Following the on-field medical emergency involving Evan Ndicka, the match between Udinese and Roma has been suspended,” Roma said on social media platform X.

“The player is conscious and has been taken to hospital for further checks.”

After a lengthy delay, the match was suspended and the players left the field, with the game later abandoned.

Soccer Football – Serie A – Udinese v AS Roma – Dacia Arena, Udine, Italy – April 14, 2024 AS Roma’s Evan Ndicka in action with Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca REUTERS/Stringer

Italian media reported that the tests carried out on Ndicka at the hospital ruled out a heart attack. The 24-year-old will spend the night in hospital for observation.

(Reporting by Tommy Lund and Anita Kobylinska in Gdansk; Editing by Ken Ferris)

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football – Europa League – Group G – Slavia Prague v AS Roma – Fortuna Arena, Prague, Czech Republic – November 9, 2023 AS Roma’s Evan Ndicka during the warm up before the match REUTERS/David W Cerny/File Photo