Dramatic moment Ivory Coast midfielder helps save Mali opponent’s life after he swallowed his tongue during World Cup qualifier

A MALI footballer’s life was saved by his Ivory Coast opponent in these dramatic images.

Moussa Doumbia “was swallowing his tongue and choking” before Serge Aurier stepped in.

AP:Associated Press

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The box was lofted into the box leading to a challenge between Doumbia and Sunderland defender Lamine Kone[/caption]

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This footage shows Doumbia falling hard after the aerial collision and looking in immediate distress[/caption]

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Doumbia’s head is planted into the turf after the challenge as Ivory Coast players look to clear the danger[/caption]

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The Ivory Coast’s keeper argues with the referee oblivious to the terrible scene unfolding behind him[/caption]

The Paris Saint-Germain defender, who later caused controversy with a goal celebration, quickly pulled out his tongue and moved the stricken player on his side.

Doumbia collapsed and suffered a fit after a challenge by Sunderland defender Lamine Kone.

Mali’s French coach Alain Giresse thanked Aurier for his quick-thinking actions during the African World Cup qualifier in the Ivory Coast last Saturday.

Giresse told French radio station RMC: “Serge Aurier, along with one of our players, had the presence of mind to quickly put him (Doumbia) on his side and to use his hand to pull his tongue out as he was dying.

“It was an incredible reaction from Aurier. I spoke to him afterwards and I even thanked him for his cool head.”

Mali boss Fousseni Diawara said: “Doumbia fell and was swallowing his own tongue and Serge was one of the first to arrive and help.

“There is one thing nobody is talking about, which is the manner in which he helped a Malian on the pitch.”

Reuters

Moussa Doumbia pictured for his Russian side FC Rostov during a clash with PSV in the Champions League[/caption]

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Players from both the Ivory Coast and Mali huddle around as Doumbia lies on the floor following his collapse[/caption]

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Medics rush onto the pitch to help Doumbia whose life may have already been saved by his opponent’s instinctive actions[/caption]

Aurier had initially caused a social media stir after the game in Bouake, which the Ivory Coast won 3-1, after making a throat slitting gesture following his side’s second goal.

The two African teams, which border each other, have a fierce rivalry.

The 23-year-old full-back made the headlines for his indiscretions last month when he was sentenced to two months in prison for assaulting a police officer — although in France such short sentences are automatically commuted.

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Mali’s coach said: “It was an incredible reaction from Aurier. I spoke to him afterwards and I even thanked him for his cool head.”[/caption]

Last season he was also in trouble with his club after making derogatory homophobic comments on social media.

He targeted his then-PSG coach Laurent Blanc and other team-mates, including current Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Aurier was suspended by his club for five weeks but owned up to having committed “a stupid mistake”.

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