Paris Saint-Germain’s defender Serge Aurier, who has been in the media over the recent weeks for his controversial behavior for a moment looked like he’s turned over a new leaf after saving an opponent’s life on Saturday.
The full back has been praised by Mali’s French Coach Alain Giresse for his quick thinking after he helped save Mali’s defender Moussa Doumbia who accidentally swallowed his tongue in their World Cup Qualifier.
Aurier intervened after Doumbia was knocked unconscious in a challenge against Sunderland’s Lamina Kone to help stop the player from swallowing his tongue.
Speaking to French Radio RMC, Mali’s Coach said that,
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“All the players realized that Doumbia was choking and was about to swallow his tongue”[/perfectpullquote]
“That’s when Serge Aurier, along with one of our players, had the presence of mind to quickly put him on his side and to use his hand to pull his tongue out as he was dying.”
“It was an incredible reaction from Aurier”
The Coach went on to say, “there is one thing nobody is talking about, which is the manner in which he helped a Malian on the pitch.”
Aurier used his hands to pull out Doumbia’s tongue which is a heck of a brave move.
Mali manager also added that he spoke to the player and thanked him for his “superb reactions.”
Aurier Trying to Remove the Player’s Tongue. (Photo from National Helm)
Aurier later visited Doumbia in hospital and says they never talked about it (the throat Slitting Gesture). Speaking to Goal.com he said,
“On Monday, we flew back to Paris together and we did not talk about it”
[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“Instead, he was praising our team. Ivory Coast-Mali is a hotly contested derby for both sets of supporters because the Malians and Ivorians are a bit like cousins.”[/perfectpullquote]
Despite the heroic actions, 10 minutes later classic Aurier went back to his habits. Aurier made more controversial headlines and a social media stir when he celebrated with a throat slitting gesture after his cross forced Salif Coulibaly to turn the ball into his own net.
This comes after a string of controversial events since last year involving the player. The 23-year-old was in trouble with his club last season after making offensive comments about the-then PSG manager, Laurent Blanc and fellow teammates in a video on social media.
The player was suspended for five months but later apologized saying it was a “stupid mistake.”
In September, he was then sentenced to two months in jail for elbowing a police officer though remains free pending an appeal.
In February, Aurier was also suspended again by Paris St-Germain after appearing to use homophobic language to insult then-coach, Laurent Blanc.
Featured Photo: The defender During the Game. (Photo from Fox News)
