Youth footballer collapses during match in Nicosia due to high temperatures

On the morning of September 12, 2026, a youth U-19 football player collapsed during a match held on a synthetic pitch in Nicosia. The incident occurred at approximately 11:00, when ambient temperatures had reached around 36°C. The athlete was carried off the field on a stretcher, and it took over 30 minutes for his condition to stabilize after receiving medical assistance on-site.

Spyros Neofytidis, executive president of the Pancyprian Footballers Association (PASP), strongly criticized the decision to proceed with the match under such dangerous weather conditions. He emphasized that the incident highlights a disregard for established safety protocols regarding heat stress. Neofytidis noted that while the player has regained consciousness, relying on luck is not an acceptable long-term strategy for athlete safety.

The PASP has previously issued a heat stress prevention protocol based on international sports medicine guidelines, which explicitly warns against conducting athletic activities in extreme heat. The organization is now calling for stricter adherence to these safety standards to prevent future health emergencies on the pitch.