The RAE says that a hero is a person who performs a very selfless action for the benefit of a noble cause. Hence the collegiate Prieto Iglesias has become the true hero of the Copa del Rey. The quick intervention of the referee, 39, at Teruel-Rayo prevented Adrián Hernández from swallowing his tongue when he was unconscious on the pitch during a game cast. His maneuvers, until he could be treated by the French-red medical services and the local physiotherapist, were fundamental.
This story was made public just 48 hours later. The Navarra Federation has related the facts, thus giving the recognition he deserves to his neighbor Eduardo Prieto Iglesias. It was the 60th minute of the game when Adrián collided with Vallecano goalkeeper Morro. Both fell to the ground, but the worst part was taken by the Aragonese footballer, who ran out of knowledge about green. Players from both teams soon realized the seriousness of the situation and caught the attention of the referee.
The Navarrese referee stopped the game and began some maneuvers so that Adrián did not choke on his own tongue, since “he had serious breathing difficulties”, as recounted in the Federation statement. His intervention was maintained until the moment the doctors came to him. Thus, little by little, the Teruel footballer regained consciousness and was able to answer questions such as where he was and what match he was playing.
As the situation calmed down Prieto Iglesias was informing his assistants to reassure the benches, also scared. Adrian He went to the nearest hospital on foot, since it is just 50 meters from the stadium, and there he was subjected to different tests. Everything was fine and he had been in a monumental fright. What's more, the player was discharged and returned to the field to see the end of the crash, in extra time.
Once finished, Adrián was able to thank Prieto Iglesias in person and he gave him his cards, in a beautiful gesture. And, this time, the referee was not the villain but the hero of the story …