PETALING JAYA: Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) captain Natxo Insa has apologised for his outburst after teammate Jairo da Silva suffered a concussion during their AFC Champions League (ACL) Elite quarter-final clash against Al-Ahli.
Striker Da Silva was struck in the face by a dangerous bicycle kick from Al-Ahli defender Ali Majrashi, who was subsequently sent off at the King Abdullah Stadium in Jeddah on Friday.
The Brazllian Da Silva, who scored the solitary goal for JDT, was left unconscious following the collision, sparking chaotic scenes as players and staff from both sides rushed to his aid.
Malaysia eventually lost 1-2. Insa took matters into his own hands, urging paramedics to act swiftly.
His actions, which included kicking a chair to get their attention before assisting in moving the stretcher alongside a team physio, earned him a yellow card.
JDT have issued an apology over the incident, with head coach Luis Garcia meeting the paramedic involved.
As for Da Silva, he is on the road to recovery, after receiving multiple stitches for a tear to his lip.
“I could not even feel the bottom part of my face. I am good, now,” said Da Silva, who has been discharged.
In a show of sportsmanship, Majrashi later visited Da Silva at his hotel in Jeddah.
Da Silva has been one of JDT’s top attackers this season with 17 goals and 14 assists in 39 games in all competitions.
The Southern Tigers would surely hope he recovers for the rest of the games this season, including a Malaysia Cup final against Kuching City at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on May 23 and a two-legged Shoppee Asean Club Championships semi-finals against Thai club Buriram United on May 6 (Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Iskandar Puteri) and 13 (Thunder Castle Stadium, Buriram).
JDT have already won the FA Cup, Charity Shield and Super League this season.
