French footballer dies after 39 years in coma

PARIS: SEPT. 7 – Former French national team player Jean-Pierre Adams has died at the age of 73 after a 39-year coma.

Adams, who was hospitalized for knee surgery in March 1982, never regained consciousness due to a lack of medication.

Born in Senegal, he played more than 140 games as a defender for Nice and PSG clubs.

Both clubs have issued statements following his death.

Adams played 22 international games for France from 1972 to 1976. He played 84 games for Neem Club. The club has also expressed grief by publishing a statement.

Many hospital staff were on strike on the day of Adams’ surgery, which injured him during training.

He underwent surgery, but an anesthesiologist had to look after eight patients. The doctor enlisted the help of a trainee doctor. The trainee doctor later said that he was “unable to carry out his responsibilities.”

Adams suffered a heart attack and brain damage due to some mistakes made by the anesthesiologist and the trainee doctor. In the mid-1990s, both doctors were sentenced to one month’s suspension and a 750 fine for the offence.

Surrender

Adams was discharged from the hospital 15 months later, where he was cared for by his wife, Bernadette.

BBC Sport Africa’s Pierce Edwards praised Bernadette, saying she had never considered turning off her husband’s life-saving equipment despite being in a coma for so long.

“For almost four decades, she cared for her husband every day,” she said.

“The nurses say Adams hasn’t had a move in so many years, except for a few minor changes when Bernadette hasn’t been there for a night or two,” Edwards said that when he visited her in 2016, Bernadette was upset that the hospital had not apologized.

-BBC