Football match suddenly stopped as player performs CPR to save seagull | Football | Sport

A Turkish amateur footballer has been lauded as a hero after he performed life-saving CPR on a seagull that was hit during a match. Gani Catan sprang into action to help the bird during the first half of an Istanbul First Amateur League playoff final in Zeytinburnu between Mevlanakapi Guzelhisar and Istanbul Yurdum Spor.

Goalkeeper Muhammet Uyanik accidentally struck the gull out of the sky as he kicked the ball upfield, causing it to fall onto the pitch unresponsive. Istanbul Yurdum Spor captain Catan rushed over to assist, performing chest compressions and ultimately performing life-saving CPR on the bird. His efforts quickly paid off, as the previously motionless gull began to show signs of life, before he gently carried it off the pitch and handed it over to medical staff.

In the aftermath, Istanbul Yurdum Spor praised their player’s compassionate act on Instagram, writing: “Our captain Gani Catan brought the seagull back to life thanks to the cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) he performed on the field.”

Despite his team losing the game, Catan expressed no regrets about his performance or actions on the day.

He told Turkish media: “We missed out on the championship, but helping save a life is a good thing. This was more important than the championship.”

Elsewhere, social media was awash with praise for the player’s actions. One individual penned: “Every living thing deserves life so let’s thank these people.”

Another chimed in: “Man of the match and player of the year.” A third exclaimed: “That’s awesome what the players and the referee did!” Meanwhile a fourth commented: “In a world of darkness, that’s divine.”