Source: SOPA Images /Wong Fok Loy
[Saba Sports News] Zhang Zhijie’s sudden collapse and subsequent death during the game has resulted in public condemnation of the match referee team and rescue team. Critics argue that the incident exposed the lack of professionalism in medical treatment by the Indonesian organizing committee and the cold-heartedness of the referees on duty. After Zhang Zhijie fainted, he experienced convulsions multiple times, indicating a critical situation. However, the referees not only attempted to prevent the Chinese coaches from entering the field but also watched the entire process with an unusually calm and indifferent demeanor. This stands in stark contrast to the swift response during Danish star Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest at the 2021 European Championship. The referee on duty stopped the game within seconds, the team doctor arrived within seconds, and medical staff with emergency equipment entered the field within seconds. The treatment began within seconds, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation, ultimately saving Eriksen’s life. In Zhang Zhijie’s case, the referees not only failed to provide assistance but also contributed to the confusion, mistakenly assuming that he had simply fallen. The rescue team did not use AED or perform CPR, nor did they have a unified rescue plan, resulting in critical delays.