Paris Saint-Germain full-back Serge Aurier has been praised for helping save the life of Mali winger Moussa Doumbia, who was knocked out in the match against Ivory Coast.
Mali head coach Alain Giresse personally thanked Aurier for saving the life of one of his players.
Doumbia of Russian club Rostov collapsed during the early stages of the World Cup qualifier between the African rivals and is said to have started swallowing his tongue.
Once linked with Arsenal, Aurier was quick to put Doumbia on his side to help him and later visited the player in hospital.
Mali’s manager Alain Giresse told French radio station RMC Sport: “All the players realised that Doumbia was choking and was about to swallow his tongue. That’s when Aurier, with one of our own players, quickly put him on his side and pulled out his tongue, because he was about to lose his life.”
However, despite such heroics, Aurier later caused controversy when he made a throat-slit gesture after Ivory Coast scored their final goal in the 3-1 win.
What matter most is Doumbi’s well being. No-one likes to see a football get injured or collapse on the pitch of play.