A footballer turned hero during a match in the Czech Republic when he saved the life of the other team’s goalkeeper after a horrific collision.

Goalie Martin Berkovec, 28, came out to collect a ball during yesterday’s match between Bohemians 1905 and Slovacko but smashed into his own defender, Daniel Krch.

Berkovec, who was on loan from Slavia Prague, collapsed but eagle-eyed Slovacko striker Francis Koné noticed that he had gone limp. Without waiting for the team doctor or physio, Kone put his finger into Berkovec’s mouth to prevent him swallowing his own tongue.

Berkovec was stretchered off and taken to hospital, where he is expected to make a full recovery.



Writing on Facebook after regaining consciousness last night, Berkovec said: ‘I would like to thank Francis Kone for rescue and emergency at today’s game…I’m glad for the relief and thanks again!!!’

The Daily Mirror reported that Slovacko’s head coach Michal Kordula praised Koné during the post-match press conference.

But it turns out that it is not the first time Koné, 26, has been a life-saver.



He says it is the FOURTH time in his short career he has pulled a tongue from a players’ mouth to save them from suffocating. Koné is something of a footballing globetrotter, having played in Thailand, Oman, Portugal, Hungary, Togo and Ivory Coast.