AN Italian referee desperately tried to save a fan’s life after they fell ill in the crowd, according to reports.
A supporter was taken ill in the closing stages of Thursday’s Serie D match between Vastogirardi and Avezzano.
The officials and players were quickly alerted of the emergency, which prompted ref Cristiana Laraspata to stop the match.
And she bravely ran to the crowd and provided medical treatment for the fan.
Laraspata – who is a medical student – immediately gave the stricken fan CPR.
But, according to Gazetta Regionale, her efforts were in vain as the fan tragically passed away.
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The man – who has yet to be identified – is said to have passed on shortly after arriving at a nearby hospital.
In an interview with Gazzetta del Mezzogiorno, Laraspata – who was making her Serie D debut – said of the incident: “They were endless moments.
“For a moment the gentleman even seemed to have recovered.
“I did everything to save him ”
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Nicola Favia – the president of the Puglia Regional Referee Committee, said of Laraspata’s bravery: “She experienced a baptism on a day she will never forget.
“I felt calm as she was sorry for what happened, the unfortunate fate of this person is certainly a more important aspect than the sporting context in which he found himself.
“Cristiana represented a positive example, an always valid message: life before each game.
“We must say that she was cold and waiting for official help she was the first to rush from the field to the grandstand to operate the first intervention.
“She was making her debut in Serie D ”.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
