A-League boss speaks out after ambulance furore sparks outrage
The A-League boss has defended the time it took for the Adelaide player to be treated by ambulance staff after the horror incident.
A-League boss Greg O’Rourke has brushed off criticism around the response to Adelaide star Juande's horrific leg break, and the amount of time it took for him to be treated by ambulance staff. Juande has undergone surgery after breaking both major bones in his lower right leg during Sunday's A-League Men's draw with Melbourne City.
The Spaniard suffered breaks in both the tibia and fibula bones in his right leg after a tackle on City substitute Florin Berenguer went horribly wrong in the 69th minute. Play was delayed for about 30 minutes during Sunday's 3-3 draw at AAMI Park.
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Juande's wife flew to Melbourne on Sunday to be with the 36-year-old, who had surgery on Monday. A United spokesman said Juande was in reasonably good spirits, while teammates spoke of their shock at the injury.
The A-League has come under fire from some fans for not having an ambulance on standby at the ground, in the event of such an incident occurring. Ambulance staff did not arrive to treat Juande for more than 15 minutes after the horrific accident, as the distraught Spaniard's teammates and medical staff tried to keep him calm on the pitch.
The lengthy delay and the time it took for ambulance staff to get onto the ground left many viewers fuming. The incident led to calls for the A-League to change its policy as concerned fans watched on in disbelief.
It's been 10 minutes since Juande's injury and there's still no ambulance on the field? Unfathomable #MCYvADL
— Ben Smith (@BenSmith94) January 29, 2023
What if it was a heart issue like Eriksson? 13 minutes for an ambulance is an absolute joke. #MCYvADL
— Rowie (@Rowantheboatz) January 29, 2023
Horrific injury to Juande. Wish him all the best. Question needs to be asked tho, how is there not an ambulance or paramedic with a medicart on site? #MCYvADL
— Tom Monsigneur (@Monzy15) January 29, 2023
@aleaguemen time to review your paramedic/ambulance policy for matches after Juande’s injury @AdelaideUnited
Waiting 15 mins too long. Perhaps take some guidance from our AFL folk that deal with these injuries regularly.— Raf Sciezka Pfizer x 3 (@rafSciezka) January 29, 2023
Response to that injury to Juande is unacceptable. How can you not have an ambulance present at an event like that?? Sort it out @aleaguemen
— Glenn Dwyer (@glenndwyer) January 29, 2023
However, the A-League boss defended the fact that there was no ambulance on site after stressing that it has been that way for several years now. Mr O’Rourke was at pains to stress that the players were still in good hands, despite the lack of an ambulance.
“In Nov. 2018, static ambulance services were withdrawn by Ambulance Victoria and instead Emergency Physicians were installed at the stadium," the A-League boss said. “Emergency Physicians are doctors who have specialised in Emergency Medicine as specialist medical practitioners they are able to provide a higher level of care than a paramedic.
“That change was approved by PFA in 2018 and has been policy in Victoria ever since. In every other state, it remains policy to have static ambulances.“ Adelaide assistant coach Mark Milligan echoed that sentiment when he was interviewed pitch-side, moments after the incident.
"For the moment, Football takes a back seat.... We need to make sure that Juande is looked after properly, we'll worry about the football after." @AdelaideUnited's Assistant Coach Mark Milligan to 10 Football's @Michael_Zappone on the injury to Juande. #MCYvADL pic.twitter.com/2vzy8L6zQo
— 10 Football (@10FootballAU) January 29, 2023
Juande's season over after shocking incident
“It’s never nice, we have to make sure that Juande is looked after properly,” Milligan said. “Not concerned (about the delay) because they’re doing (treating the injury) it properly, so that’s the main thing.
“It takes as long as it takes. We’ll deal with the other (Reds) players once Juande is looked after in the best possible way. Melbourne City and their medical staff have looked after us in the best possible way. Football sometimes has to take a back seat.”
United coach Carl Veart was on the verge of tears in his post-match media conference while some Adelaide players were crying at the sight of their stricken teammate whose ALM season is over. "You don't want to experience that with anyone," Adelaide's Josh Cavallo told reporters in Melbourne on Monday.
"It disturbed a lot of people. There was a lot of us boys crying in the changeroom and it took Carl for a shock as well. We just never think you would experience that in a game of football so we send Juande all our best wishes.
"Hopefully he's not in too much pain and he has a speedy recovery." United remain uncertain when Juande will be cleared by surgeons in Melbourne to return to Adelaide.
with AAP
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