Al-Ittihad have announced midfielder Tarek Hamed has undergone surgery after sustaining a gruesome facial injury during a match against CS Sfaxien.
Hamed sustained the injury in the 41st minute of the Arab Club Champions Cup group stage match on Sunday.
The Egyptian midfielder was struck in the face by a stay boot from CS Sfaxien’s Hussein Ali.
Ali was sent off for his reckless challenge, which led to Hamed being substituted and taken to hospital.
Al-Ittihad issued a statement confirming Hamed had successfully undergone facial surgery on Monday.
WARNING GRAPHIC CONTENT BELOW
Al-Ittihad have announced Tarek Hamed had undergone successful facial surgery on Monday
Hamed posted a gruesome photo of the injury which showed a gash on his right cheek
Karim Benzema scored the winning goal as Al-Ittihad won 1-0 against 10-man CS Sfaxien
The Saudi Pro League club posted a video Hamed in hospital on social media.
Hamed also posed images of his injury on Twitter which showed a nasty gash between his right cheek and mouth, with the midfielder then reassuring fans that he is ‘fine’.
‘A moment can change everything,’ Hamed said. ‘I am fine, thank God.’
Ali, whose challenge caused the injury, issued an apology to Hamed and Al-Ittihad on social media.
‘I express my deepest apologies from my heart to the Egypt national team and Al-Ittihad player Tarek Hamed after the accidental incident,’ Ali said.
‘Everyone knows that throughout my career, I have not hurt a player.
‘Allah knows that the incident with Tarek was not on purpose. I wish him a quick recovery and return to the pitch.’
Al-Ittihad secured a 1-0 win against 10-man CS Sfaxien, with marquee signing Karim Benzema scoring the winner for the Saudi Pro League side.
The result ensured Al-Ittihad advanced to the knock-out stage of the competition with a match to spare.
Reigning Saudi Pro League champions Al-Ittihad have strengthened their squad this summer with the signings of Benzema, N’Golo Kane and Jota.
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