David Ospina discharged from hospital after collapsing during Napoli match

The Arsenal loanee David Ospina has been discharged from hospital and given the all clear after collapsing midway through Napoli’s Serie A match against Udinese on Sunday.

The 30-year-old goalkeeper, on loan at the Italian club from Arsenal, fell to the turf two minutes before half-time, having suffered an earlier head injury in a clash with Udinese’s Ignacio Pussetto.

Napoli’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, later indicated that Ospina was recovering, the player having been given a CAT scan, which came back all clear, and then stayed in hospital overnight for observation.

On Monday afternoon the club confirmed Ospina was now set for some rest and would not be joining up with Colombia during the international break.

“David Ospina was discharged this afternoon from the Pineta Grande Clinic where he had been hospitalised last night for a series of investigations and specialist visits. All tests are negative,” a statement from Napoli read.

“Visits excluded any problems. The diagnosis is of vagal crisis [fainting] resolved within a few hours. The player has been advised a few days off and will not respond to the call-up of his national team.”

Ospina is on a season-long loan in Naples and reports suggest he is poised to sign a full-time deal with the Italian club. He tweeted his thanks on Monday evening to supporters. “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone for your prayers and your thoughts,” he posted. “I am fine and recovering with my family. I hope to be back soon and stronger than ever!”

David Ospina
(@D_Ospina1)

🇬🇧 Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone for your prayers and your thoughts.
I am fine and recovering with my family.
I hope to be back soon and stronger than ever! pic.twitter.com/gssKzZ9jxD


March 18, 2019

The incident involving Ospina follows one last Wednesday in which the Lyon keeper, Anthony Lopes, was temporarily allowed to continue in their Champions League game against Barcelona after being injured when he dived at the feet of Philippe Coutinho. The charity Headway, which works to improve life after brain injuries, expressed dismay and believes Fifa protocols are not being followed.

“We are deeply shocked and appalled at these latest examples of concussion protocols not being followed in football,” said Headway’s chief executive, Peter McCabe. “David Ospina’s treatment is particularly concerning and highlights exactly why we’ve always called for an ‘if in doubt, sit it out’ approach to concussion.

“Fifa’s protocols clearly state that, if concussion is suspected – not clinically diagnosed – but suspected, the player should be removed from the field and not allowed to return. This is not only to protect the player from a secondary blow to the head, which could exacerbate the injury, but also to recognise the often delayed presentation of symptoms.

“Both players have been badly let down and left unprotected by football’s failure to take concussion seriously. There’s a real fear that it will take a catastrophic injury to a high-profile player before any real change in attitudes is forthcoming.”

source: theguardian.com