Dr Marcello Araujo Opens Up Regarding Ricki Ariansyah's Collapse Incident: The Ambulance Was Not A Taxi, PSSI

Madura United team doctor, Marcello Araujo (left), spoke about the Ricki Ariansyah incident collapsing in the match against PSIS Semarang. (Photo: Madura United TV YouTube Screenshot)

JAKARTA - Madura United team doctor Marcello Araujo opened his voice about the incident that almost claimed the lives of his team player, Ricki Ariansyah in the match against PSIS Semarang, Tuesday, March 7. On this occasion, he expressed criticism of medical facilities in the field.

Marcello alluded to the completeness of medical equipment in ambulances that did not meet the standards. According to him, this is a vital thing that will greatly affect the handling process.

"At that time the ambulance or car from the equipment hospital was incomplete. So if the ambulance was there, not as a taxi, yes," he quipped in a video uploaded by Madura United on Youtube on Wednesday, March 8.

"So it should be (medical equipment) more complete to be able to accept patients in it. Next, I ask the federation for help so that the medical equipment is more complete," he added.

In the match at the Jatidiri Stadium, Tuesday, March 7 afternoon WIB, a tense incident hit Ricki Ariansyah. He had collapsed in front of the PSIS goal shortly after scoring Laskar Sapeh Kerap's second goal.

This incident began when Ricki Ariansyah was making head, but at the same time one of the opposing players accidentally kicked at Ricki.

That moment made Ricki fall with his head first hitting the ground hard and immediately unconscious.

When medical treatment was carried out, Dr. Marcello Araujo was even caught on camera and cried seeing Ricki's condition.

"I was so emotional that I cried. When Rian collapsed, I talked to him. He responded to me and said 'doctor'. There I was so emotional. I kissed his head because he knew he was with me again, with us again," said Marcello.

Luckily, the player who is familiarly called Rian can be saved. The latest condition says Rian is conscious even though he still has to undergo treatment.