A UEFA spokesperson has issued a statement following the horrific thumb injury suffered by Galatasaray’s Noa Lang during Wednesday’s Champions Leagueclash against Liverpool at Anfield.
Lang, who came on as a second-half substitute, was stretchered off the pitch 10 minutes before full-time after slicing his thumb near the advertising boards.
The Netherlands international underwent surgery in Liverpool after the match with the participation of Galatasaray’s medical team. He confirmed the surgery “went well” on Thursday and thanked fans from all over the world for their concerned messages.
Meanwhile, a reporter from Turkish TV channel TRT Spor recorded a video after the match showing the fence in question and demonstrated how Lang’s injury may have occurred.
Galatasaray’s general secretary, Eray Yazga, said the club will demand UEFA cover Lang’s salary while he’s sidelined.
“We made a complaint to UEFA representatives after the match. They also made their investigations. UEFA will evaluate the issue,” he said. “We are in talks with lawyers. We will file a lawsuit for compensation to UEFA. We will ask for our victimisation in terms of salary to be eliminated.”
UEFA Spokesperson Releases Statement
Galatasaray’s Noa Lang
Later on Thursday, per the New York Times, a UEFA spokesperson confirmed they’re taking steps to ensure the same thing doesn’t happen to another player in one of their competitions. The spokesperson said:
“UEFA has reviewed the circumstances leading to the unfortunate accident suffered by Galatasaray SK player Noa Lang and will be reviewing the pitch-side set up, including LED boards at all upcoming matches to identify any potential comparable risks and ask clubs to take appropriate measures if necessary. We wish Noa Lang a full and swift recovery.”
While questions are being asked about the advertising boards that were in place at Anfield for the Champions League Round of 16 fixture, Liverpool captain and Lang’s Dutch international teammate Virgil van Dijk insisted it was just “a very big accident”.
Van Dijk added: “It’s nothing to do with the stadium, it’s just an accident.
“I spoke to him, hopefully he will be back on the pitch asap because we need him if he’s coming to the national team next week.”
Van Dijk hopes that Lang, who will almost certainly have his right hand bandaged if declared fit enough to play, will be available to feature in Netherlands’ upcoming international friendlies against Norway and Ecuador on March 27 and March 31, respectively.
Meanwhile, Liverpool – who face Paris Saint-Germain in next month’s Champions League quarter-finals – are back in action on Saturday lunchtime when they travel to Brighton in the Premier League.