April 20, 2021

EUROPEAN FAIR PLAY DIPLOMA, made under the auspices of the European Olympic Committees (Individual) ALEXANDER SOBOLEV (RUS)

The 23 year old is the centre forward of Spartak Moscow, which is the most popular football club in Russia.

Alexander’s noble act of fair play took place on the 14th of August 2020 in the Premier Football League match versus Akhmat Grozny. The Akhmat defender Zoran Nizic suddenly lost consciousness, and later brain concussion was diagnosed. It happened so quickly that the medical stuff of both were not ready for such an event. . In this unusual situation Sobolev rushed to the rescue of the opponent and gave him the first medical aid required. Not waiting for the ambulance to arrive he turned Zoran to his side. Then he prevented Nizic from closing his jaw which prevented him from swallowing his tongue which can stop breathing fatally. As a result of Sobolov’s action no dangerous consequences critical to the opponent’s health ensued. It’s interesting to note that Sobolev admitted after the game that he had never given first medical aid to anyone, everything was done spontaneously and  targeted at his only aim – to save the life of the player of the opponent team.