Assistant referee during the Copa America match between Canada and Peru, Humberto Panjoj fell ill a few minutes before half-time. Evacuated to a hospital in Kansas City (United States), the Guatemalan official suffered a severe heatstroke before passing out. But he’s better.
The kind of images you don’t like to see on the pitch. But fortunately everything is fine. A few moments before halftime during the Copa America match between Canada and Peru, this Tuesday in Kansas City (United States), one of the assistant referees collapsed on the side of the field.
At first inert, Humberto Panjoj saw Canadian goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau rush to come and help him. After placing him in the side safety position, the goalkeeper saw the Guatemalan official being taken care of by the medical services present for the match. After quickly regaining consciousness, the assistant of his compatriot Mario Escobar was briefly able to get back on his feet and then was evacuated on a stretcher and then transported to a nearby hospital for follow-up.
A big heat stroke
Played at 5pm local time (midnight in France), the match between Canadians and Peruvians resumed quietly despite the high temperatures (over 38°C felt and humidity) and Lille’s Jonathan David gave his team the victory in the final moments. These high temperatures were precisely what caused Humberto Panjoj to feel unwell, according to information confirmed by journalists on site after the match.
Victim of a heat stroke during this Peru-Canada, the Guatemalan is however doing better if we are to believe the words of a relieved Maxime Crépeau after the final whistle.
“Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him fall. At that moment, football no longer mattered,” said the Quebec goalkeeper quoted by the Kansas City Star. “I was happy that he was conscious. I got the news that he’s better now so thank God. But we have to tackle this problem now.”
No cooling break despite the heat
In addition to the intense weather conditions in which the match took place, we will wonder about the absence of a cool break during the first period. A decision which visibly annoyed Maxime Crépeau.
“I don’t care what people say,” said the Portland MLS goalkeeper. “We need to look at the health of those on the field, players and officials.”
A feeling shared by his teammate Alistair Johnson: “It’s the kind of match where conditions like this, you wouldn’t even wish them on your worst enemy. […] Kick-off is scheduled to be at 8 or 9 p.m. Because honestly it’s not healthy, even for the fans.”
