Shocking Incident: Chinese League Player's Neck Fractured by Falling Billboard, Sparking Paralysis Fears

Togo international Samuel Asamoah suffered a broken neck after crashing into an advertising board during a Chinese league match, leaving the 31-year-old midfielder facing possible paralysis. His club says he's undergone surgery and remains in stable condition, but his career may be over.

Video footage from Sunday's match shows Asamoah being pushed by an opponent while competing for the ball. The contact sent him directly into an electronic advertising board at the side of the pitch. The impact was severe enough to cause multiple neck fractures and nerve damage.

Guangxi Pingguo, Asamoah's second-division Chinese club, released a statement confirming the extent of his injuries. "He is at risk of upper body paralysis and will miss all remaining matches this season," the club said. "His football career may also be seriously affected."

The club later updated that Asamoah is recovering from surgery and his condition has stabilized. But the long-term outlook remains uncertain given the severity of the neck and nerve injuries.

Asamoah spent most of his career playing in Belgium before moving to China last year. He earned six caps for Togo's national team. The player who pushed him, Zhang Jixiong from Chongqing Tonglianglongg, received a yellow card for the incident.

According to Chinese football authorities, the advertising screen was positioned three meters from the pitch, which meets international standards. But the incident raises questions about player safety around the edges of football fields.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about sideline hazards in professional football. While advertising boards generate crucial revenue for clubs and leagues, serious injuries like Asamoah's demonstrate the risks players face when play extends beyond the field boundaries.

Guangxi Pingguo said they will provide updates on Asamoah's condition as more medical evaluations are completed. For now, the focus remains on his recovery rather than any potential return to football.