Adelaide United player Nestory Irankunda is ‘100 per cent fine’ after nasty fall against Campbelltown City

Adelaide United has rejected claims a young gun was in danger after a fall during a match last Friday, despite him missing Tuesday night’s Australia Cup clash.

Adelaide United has moved to dispute claims a referee had to save the life of its brightest young star last Friday night during a youth finals match against Campbelltown City.

Teenage phenom Nestory Irankunda took a nasty fall during the dying minutes of United’s 2-1 win over Campbelltown and appeared to lose consciousness and begin to choke.

Dr Christian Verdicchio, chief executive of Heart Support Australia, was the match official closest to the 17-year-old at the time of his fall and rushed to Irankunda’s aid as concerned teammates and opposition looked on.

While Irankunda – rumoured to be joining German powerhouse Bayern Munich – was then pulled out of the side for its Australia Cup clash against Western Sydney this week, the Reds moved to downplay the incident, saying the young player’s life was not in danger and he did not suffer a concussion.

“The (club) doctor says because his head has hit the ground and he’s a young player we’ve got to be very careful so we’re just giving him that time to recover,” coach Carl Veart told Channel 10.

Adelaide United's Nestory Irankunda tripped over and fell awkwardly to the ground, clutching his throat. Referee Dr Christian Verdicchio quickly used his expertise to ensure the player didn't swallow this tongue. Picture: Supplied

“He (Irankunda) doesn’t understand why someone was trying to put their fingers in his mouth because he said he wasn’t struggling.

“I think at the time it looked a bit confronting but speaking with Nestory, he’s a bit disappointed about all the commotion, he’s 100 per cent fine.”

Referee Verdicchio had a different account however, saying he could see Irankunda was struggling to breathe immediately after the fall.

“Somehow (Irankunda) was in the air and like an acrobat in some way tripped over the ball, and as he landed he hit his head on the floor,” the SA-based doctor told The Advertiser.

Football Referee Dr Christian Verdicchio outside Coopers Stadium in Adelaide. Picture: Emma Brasier

“I stood there and kept watching and within two or three seconds I could see he was actually struggling to breathe and was not in a good place.”

Verdicchio immediately took action and was joined by Campbelltown player Yohei Matsumoto in an effort to get Irankunda breathing.

Both men checked his airways were not blocked and started talking to Irankunda to confirm he was conscious.

“After a minute or two things settled down and he responded quite well,” Dr Verdicchio said.

“I was just in the right place at the right time.”

Irankunda reported for training on Saturday morning but was eventually ruled out of Tuesday’s match.