RKC Waalwijk vs Ajax abandoned after serious emergency involving Etienne Vaessen

Ajax and RKC Waalwijk faced each other in an Eredivisie encounter on Saturday, September 30. The match was suspended in the second half when Ajax was leading by 3-2 and the result is yet to be decided. The Waalwijk goalkeeper, Etienne Vaessen, suffered a horrible injury and was left motionless. 

3 things you need to know 

• Etienne Vaessen suffered a horrific injury during the match 
• Ajax were leading RKC Waalwijk by 3-2 
• The Eredivisie  match was suspended 

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Etienne Vaessen suffered a collision with Ajax forward 

The 84th minute of Ajax's league match versus RKC Waalwijk saw the game abandoned, which was a disappointing development. The event started when RKC custodian Etienne Vaessen collided with Ajax forward Brian Brobbey, knocking Vaessen unconscious and leaving him bewildered.

Teammates became immediately concerned about Vaessen's condition and called for emergency medical help. When Vaessen awoke from his unconsciousness, RKC director Frank van Mosselveld subsequently disclosed that he was confused and didn't know where he was.

The game ended prematurely due to this regrettable tragedy, which also made clear how serious the situation was and how urgently the injured goalie needed medical attention. Talking to the NOS, RKC director Frank van Mosselveld said: 

'Etienne was knocked out for a while,' 

'Our medical staff started reanimation right away, but it looks like there wasn't a problem with his heart. He was conscious again when he left the field but he did not know where he was.'

Etienne Vaessen was at the centre of a very sensitive and alarming scenario. A defibrillator was hurriedly rushed onto the pitch, and players from both sides were obviously moved, tears in their eyes, while curtains were swiftly erected around him to conceal him from the public view. Medical staff carried Vaessen from the pitch on a stretcher after he had been motionless for a number of minutes. After these upsetting incidents, both teams left the field, and the decision to cancel the game was made after considerable thought.

De keeper van RKC heeft z’n nek gebroken na het duel tegen de spits van Ajax #rkcwaalwijk #Ajax pic.twitter.com/Pfl0JcJxLM

— divior⚡️ (@divior_) September 30, 2023

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How is Vaessen's medical condition now? 

Thankfully, an update has subsequently been released by RKC Waalwijk, stating that the 28-year-old custodian was sent to the hospital and is now aware. While there was early anxiety for his well-being, this news provides some solace. The team updated on X: 

“Dear RKC members,

We are extremely shocked by the incident on the field with our goalkeeper Etienne Vaessen. We can announce that, after extensive medical examination, he is conscious and has been transported to hospital for further examination.

We wish Etienne a lot of strength and strength and hope to have him with us again soon.” 

The player is said to be out for a long, but nothing has been confirmed regarding his return to the pitch, as both the club and the player will prioritise health.