World Cup 2018: Peru coach Ricardo Gareca thanks medical staff for saving Jefferson Farfan’s life after training ground KO

Locomotiv Moscow forward, 33, was out cold for several minutes following a training collision with a team-mate and will miss the Australia game

Neil Custis in Sochi

Published: 13:04, 25 Jun 2018
Updated: 13:15, 25 Jun 2018

PERU coach Ricardo Gareca has thanked Russian medics for saving the life of forward Jefferson Farfan.

The 33-year-old Lokomotiv Moscow forward collided with a team-mate in training and was unconscious for several minutes.

Jefferson Farfan, shown with an injury in the France game, was sent to hospital after an unrelated injury during training where he was knocked out for several minutesCredit: Alamy Live News

A concerned Peru coach Ricardo Gareca explained how he was seen to by medical staff in Russia swiftly and professionallyCredit: EPA

He remains in hospital and has been ruled out of their final Group C game with Australia tomorrow.

Gareca said: "He collided with a team-mate during training.

"We were very concerned but I must say that the medical attention from the medical team was fantastic and I have to say thank you to Russia for being so well prepared.

"Immediately, as soon as it happened, the player received all the medical attention he needed.

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The Peru players trained today after the scare with Farfan yesterdayCredit: AFP or licensors

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"That’s important because he was unconscious for a couple of minutes.

"He was stabilised and currently he’s now in hospital.

"There are some protocols and rules in Russia in terms of recovering from concussion so he has to be there for 72 hours.

"That’s what Russia has set as a priority to safeguard the health of a player.

Gareca's team are out of the World Cup after consecutive defeats to Denmark and FranceCredit: EPA

"We thank Russia for what they are doing

"He’s ok. It was a scare. He’s doing well.

"He cannot play tomorrow of course but the most important thing is that he is recovering and will get well. That’s the vital thing."

Peru are already out the World Cup after losing their first two games but are determined to finish on a high in Sochi tomorrow against Australia.

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They are the best supported team out here apart from the hosts with tens of thousands enjoying the country’s first World Cup since 1982.

Gareca said: "The match is a vital match for us, very important.

"We are taking it very seriously we want to end our participation here in the best possible manner, especially for our fans.

"For us it’s as important as our opener and subsequent match. That’s how we approach it."

Farfan played for Peru in their match against France that saw them knocked out of the tournamentCredit: Getty - Contributor

Despite the country’s elimination Argentine Gareca has a 99 per cent approval rating back in Peru and both the fans and players want him to stay on.

He said: "Now is not the time to talk about that. I am very grateful to everyone, the people of Peru for all their backing at all times even in difficult moments.

"Right now we are only focused on the match. Once this is over we’ll have to start thinking about the future. But now I don’t have an answer.

"Once this World Cup is over I’ll have to make a decision; the whole country wants and answer and the team to."