That Awkward Moment When A FIFA Physio Himself Needs To Be Wheeled Out
Accidents during football matches are quite common. Players, in the heat of the game, often stumble, fall, and even injure each other. During all such moments of intense pain, there is only one angel who swoops down to ensure the player doesn’t have to sit out the game or lose a limbL it’s the physiotherapist, “physio.” However, in a recent FIFA match, the phsyio himself had to be wheeled out as he injured himself during the play.
During an intense match between England and Italy, the former’s 50-year-old physiotherapist, Gary Lewin jumped off the bench to celebrate Daniel Sturridge’s first half equalizer against Italy in Manaus. Perhaps, amidst the euphoria, Gary wasn’t careful and didn’t seem aware of what awaited him when his jump ended.
The physiotherapist landed on water bottle and slipped. Gary suffered such a bad fall that dislocated his shoulder. In fact, medical personnel suspect it fractured as well. Players quickly became aware that Gary hadn’t merely stumbled and was in intense pain. The physiotherapist was given first aid on the pitch and then carried off on a stretcher and taken to a Manaus hospital.
Fortunately, it is likely that England, who has another physiotherapist, Steve Kemp, treated Gary on the field. It would have been humiliating for Gary and England had Italy’s physiotherapist run across the field to treat a fallen comrade. But England was humiliated as it lost to Italy 2-1.
The humiliation for Gary didn’t end there. Former England defender Rio Ferdinand chose the situation to poke fun at Gary and sports physiotherapists in general.
What happened to running it off??? The magic spray & sponge??? Our Physio Gary Lewin has to man up!!
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 15, 2014
Ferdinand must have realized that his actions were uncalled for, as he apologized for his remarks later, reported The Sydney Morning Herald.
Was only having a bit of banter but just found out that Gary Lewins injury was serious so apologies for previous tweets on the injury.My bad
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 15, 2014
Ironically, Ferdinand himself suffered a similar ludicrous fate when, during his spell at Leeds, the England defender picked up a tendon strain in his knee while watching television with his foot up on a coffee table for a number of hours, reported London24.
On a sad note though, it appears Gary’s FIFA World Cup stint is over. The physiotherapist is being flown home. Speaking about the incident, England’s manager Roy Hodgson said it was a “very sad moment.” Explaining the freak accident, Roy answered, “In celebrating the goal he jumped up, landed on a water bottle and dislocated his ankle. It was very painful. He was taken to hospital. The doctor set it, put it back in at the side of the field, but it’s the end of the World Cup for Gary.”
Perhaps physiotherapists too need to swallow their own medicine once in a while.
[Image Credit | SMH, London24]
