Alberth Elis: Bordeaux striker in induced coma after head injury

Bordeaux striker Alberth Elis is in an induced coma in hospital after suffering a serious head injury in a collision with an opponent.

Play was paused in the French Ligue 2 match for eight minutes when Elis, 28, clashed heads with defender Donatien Gomis after just 40 seconds.

Bordeaux say it is “impossible” to comment on Elis’ prognosis.

“We warmly thank all those who have shown their support for Alberth and those close to him, in particular the clubs across France,” said Bordeaux president Gerard Lopez.”Your words warm our hearts and are a great strength in the fight that Alberth is waging.”

Gomis completed the remainder of the match, despite the collision.

“I think he [Elis] hits the ball first, I hit him,” said Gomis. “For a second, I was also in a daze. He lost consciousness. I hope he gets better.”

The striker has 64 caps for Honduras, scoring 13 goals. After three years with Major League Soccer (MLS)club Houston Dynamo, Elis moved to Europe, joining Boavista.

He spent one season in Portugal before signing for Bordeaux, scoring 15 goals in 60 appearances since his move in 2021.