Sports doctors and football actors in Albania have accused the Albanian Football Federation following the tragic passing of Ghana international Raphael Dwamena.
Dwamena collapsed on the pitch during an Albanian Super League match on Saturday between his club Egnatia and Partizani Tirana.
Despite immediate medical attention, he passed away soon after. The tragic incident occurred in the 24th minute on Saturday.
However, Mel Ostreni, a sports doctor has advocated for the implementation of medical room equipped with defibrillator at training grounds and stadium following the demise of the Ghana international.
"FSHF has the sole responsibility to put the dots on the "i" now. With what happened today, which was dramatic, a camera costs only 800 euros. The presidents of the teams don't listen to me, I was at Kukësi for five years and they didn't care that I raised it even higher in the AFL. We need a defibrillator," said Mel Ostreni.
On the other hand, former athletic trainer of Kukës, Daniele Nervi, expressed the tragedy of Dwamena could have been avoided if the football federation would strictly implement the regulation.
"This tragedy could have been avoided if the defibrillator is mandatory for all clubs". In fact, it is according to the licensing regulation, but it is not applied and the federation has not taken measures for this” he said.
Dwamena, the league's top scorer this season with 12 goals in 12 matches, made eight appearances for Ghana and scored twice internationally.
His career included stints in Spain, Denmark and Switzerland. Local media reports have focused on Dwamena's previous heart problems.
In 2021, he was hospitalized after collapsing during a game in Austria while playing for Blau-Weiss Linz.