Uruguayan Football Suspended After Nacional Defender Suffers Cardiac Incident
All football activity in Uruguay has been postponed for the weekend following a concerning medical incident involving Nacional defender Juan Izquierdo. The 27-year-old collapsed on the pitch during the Copa Libertadores match against São Paulo, suffering an irregular heartbeat.
Izquierdo, who had replaced Sebastian Coates at half-time, fell unconscious in the 84th minute without any contact with another player. Medical staff immediately attended to him, and he was subsequently transported to the intensive care unit of the Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo.
The Uruguayan Association for the Rights of Professional Footballers (MUFP) announced the suspension of all professional football matches scheduled for the weekend, stating, "Given the delicate health situation of footballer Juan Izquierdo, we inform our decision to suspend the professional football activity scheduled for this weekend."
The MUFP emphasised their commitment to Izquierdo's well-being, adding, "Our priority at the moment is to look after Juan's wellbeing, so we will closely follow his evolution in the coming hours."
Nacional also released a statement on social media, confirming that Izquierdo is currently stable and sedated in the hospital's intensive care unit. The club stated he will remain "under observation for at least the next 72 hours."
The incident has shaken the Uruguayan football community, with fans and players alike expressing their concern for Izquierdo's health. The suspension of football activities underscores the priority placed on the player's well-being, highlighting the importance of safety and medical preparedness in the sport.
