Bordeaux issue statement after striker undergoes emergency head surgery

Bordeaux’s Alberth Elis is in hospital following a head collision during a French league match on Saturday night.

Elis was placed in an induced coma following a clash of heads with Donatien Gomis, which occurred inside the first minute of Bordeaux’s meeting with Guingamp in Ligue 2.

The match was paused for eight minutes while Elis received treatment before being transferred to the Pellegrin hospital in Bordeaux.

It is reported that Elis was put in an induced coma because he had become agitated after regaining consciousness between leaving the field and arriving at hospital.

Guingamp defender speaks out on collision

Guingamp defender Gomis completed the match despite the collision with Elis and said afterwards: “I think he [Elis] hits the ball first, I hit him. For a second, I was also in a daze. He lost consciousness. I hope he gets better.”

Bordeaux won the match 1-0 and midfielder Gaetan Weissbeck dedicated the team’s victory to Elis.

“This is where we realise that things can go very quickly in life,” Weissbeck said. “So we will give him very, very great support. We’re really going to be with him wholeheartedly, checking in on him.

“We’ve already heard from him, and now we hope that he will get better, and that he will recover as quickly as possible.” 

A statement issued by Bordeaux on Sunday afternoon said: “Alberth Elis suffered a significant head impact last night at the very start of the match.

“Supported by the medical team, he was quickly transferred to the CHU Pellegrin in Bordeaux where a surgical procedure was carried out during the night.

“Alberth Elis suffered a head trauma which placed the player in a protective artificial coma.

“We will follow the evolution of his state of health in the hospital in the coming days. At this moment, it is still impossible to comment on Alberth’s vital and functional prognosis. The club therefore expects not to be able to communicate new decisive information for a few days and will not make any further comments on Alberth’s state of health.

“We call for restraint in the dissemination of medical information, out of respect for him, his family and those close to him, at a time when nothing else is more important. A psychological unit will quickly be set up to support club employees in these difficult times.”

Bordeaux president Gerard Lopez said: “We warmly thank all those who have shown their support for Alberth and those close to him, in particular the clubs across France. Your words warm our hearts and are a great strength in the fight that Alberth is waging.”