Peru will have to make do without Jefferson Farfan for their final World Cup game after the forward suffered a “traumatic brain injury” during training on Sunday.
Farfan, who is third in Peru’s list of all-time goalscorers and eighth in terms of overall appearances, collided with a teammate and was “unconscious for a couple of minutes”, according to a statement issued by the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF)…
#ComunicadoFPF | Sobre nuestro Seleccionado Jefferson Farfán: https://t.co/LCAt538DIt pic.twitter.com/uqJ7xMTwqJ
— FPF (@TuFPF) June 23, 2018
Due to FIFA concussion protocol, the 33-year-old forward must now sit out of the final Group C match against Australia regardless of whether he’s passed fit or not, though Peru are out of the World Cup anyway after losing both of their opening two matches.
Peru coach Ricard Gareca had this to tell the press:
It was a scare but he (Farfan) is doing well. The most important thing is he is recovering
There are some protocols in terms of recovery of a player so that means it is mandatory for a player to remain in hospital for 72 hours until he is stabilised.
He could be released from hospital but we understand the healthcare of the players is priority.
The FPF also added that while Farfan’s injury is being treated as serious, the initial test results have been “favourable for the player”.
Here’s wishing the poor bloke a speedy and comprehensive recovery.