Ex-Premier League star Moise Kean collapses on-field before being taken off on a stretcher with a neck brace following head injury
- Moise Kean has been in fine form with 15 Serie A goals since joining Fiorentina
- Edoardo Bove – who suffered a cardiac arrest in December – was in attendance
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Former Premier League star Moise Kean has collapse on field during Fiorentina’s clash with Hellas Verona on Sunday afternoon.
The Italian forward joined Fiorentina at the start of the season following spells at Juventus, Everton and Paris Saint-Germain, and has gone on to score 15 goals in Serie A this term.
However his most recent outing ended in distressing scenes, with Kean going down off the ball following a heavy collision.
While attempting to win back possession, Kean slipped and his head made contact with the knee of Pawel Dawidowicz while jostling for the ball with Diego Coppola.
He went down holding his face in clear discomfort, but was allowed to play on despite receiving lengthy treatment on the pitch from the Fiorentina medical staff.
On his return, the former Everton and PSG forward was seen sporting plasters on a cut above his left eye from the collision.
Former Everton forward Moise Kean suffered an on-pitch collapse during Fiorentina’s 1-0 defeat by Verona
After going down a second time both sets of players were quick to call for assistance
Kean was then taken off the field on a stretcher after having a neck brace fitted on the field
Yet moments after the resumption of play, Kean once again went down in the centre circle, with both sets of players frantically gesturing for assistance in worrying scenes.
After receiving more treatment, Kean was taken off the field on a stretcher with a neck brace, and towards the pitchside ambulance.
Reports in Italy have claimed that the player was conscious after being taken off the field on a stretcher and being escorted to hospital.
‘ACF Fiorentina announces that the player Moise Kean suffered a head injury during the match against Verona,’ a statement on Fiorentina’s official website said shortly after the final whistle.
‘The player is in hospital for checks.’
It is the second time this season that a Fiorentina player has collapsed mid-game, with Kean’s team-mate Edoardo Bove suffering a cardiac arrest during a match back in September.
Bove, on loan at Fiorentina from Roma, was in attendance for Sunday’s game, and according to reports, the Italy U21 international turned away as the events unfolded on the field.
Fiorentina went on to lose the match 1-0 after a 95th minute winner for the hosts, but Viola manager insisted the welfare of his forward was of paramount importance in his post-match conference.
Kean was taken to the pitchside ambulance before being escorted to hospital for more tests
Team-mate Edoardo Bove, who suffered a cardiac arrest mid-game in December – was in attendance
‘I was very worried on the touchline and hope it is nothing serious,’ the head coach said.
‘The player’s health is the most important thing.’
Bove’s future it Italy is unclear after being fitted with an implanted defibrillator following his collapse earlier in the season; Serie A rules prevent any player with one from featuring.
‘I know that this is a temporary condition. My goal is to return to playing in June,’ Bove said in January. ‘I still have a few (medical) visits to do, the doctors have to cross-reference all of the data.’
‘If I decide to keep it, I won’t be able to play in Italy,’ he added. ‘Here, health comes before the individual, I’m not saying that the rule is wrong.
‘Abroad, yes, (it is possible to play) practically everywhere. Football is too important for me, I can’t allow myself to give up like this. I’ll try again, without a shadow of a doubt. I will also see how I am, If I’m afraid, if I don’t feel calm, then everything will change.’
