A tragedy shakes the Egyptian fourth division league
Egyptian football witnessed another tragedy with the death of young player Louay Ali, a member of the Al-Bakari Youth Center team, during his team's match against Sheikh Zayed Club in the sixteenth round of the Fourth Division league. This heartbreaking incident adds to a series of tragic accidents that have befallen players in Egypt over the years, and raises renewed questions about safety standards and medical procedures followed at various levels of the league.
The incident began with a violent tackle by the Sheikh Zayed team's goalkeeper on player Louay Ali, causing him to collapse on the field bleeding profusely. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where medical examinations revealed a perforated stomach, a serious injury requiring immediate surgery. Despite the medical team's efforts, the severity of the injury proved too much for the young player's body to withstand, and he succumbed to his injuries, leaving behind deep sorrow in the sporting community.
A long history of tragedies... a history of neglect?
The death of Louay Ali is not an isolated incident, but rather part of an ongoing series of health crises affecting players in Egypt. The Egyptian sports community still remembers the case of the late Ahmed Refaat, star of Future FC, who collapsed on the field due to a severe heart attack. Despite his miraculous survival after strenuous medical efforts, his case strongly highlighted the importance of having medical teams equipped with the latest technology, especially defibrillators, at stadiums.
Years ago, Egypt was shaken by the news of the death of Mohamed Abdel Wahab, a player for Al-Ahly Club and the national team, who died as a result of a sudden heart attack during his team's training in 2006. These incidents and others prove that the danger is not limited to injuries resulting from violent contact, but extends to include sudden health crises that require a very rapid and efficient medical response.
Impact and repercussions... calls for decisive action
The death of Louay Ali highlights the urgent need for a comprehensive review of safety standards in lower-division leagues, which often lack even basic medical facilities and equipped ambulances. The lives of players, whether in the Premier League or the fourth division, must be a top priority for the Egyptian Football Association and the League of Clubs.
This tragedy is expected to generate public and media pressure demanding the implementation of strict regulations obligating all clubs, regardless of their league level, to provide comprehensive medical care during matches and training sessions. This includes the presence of sports medicine specialists, fully equipped ambulances, and first aid training for technical staff and players. The recurrence of such tragedies should serve as a powerful impetus for concrete action to prevent stadiums from becoming scenes of death rather than places of enjoyment and fair competition.
