Shocking scenes as Brighton defender Van Hecke leaves the field in an oxygen mask

The English Premier League match was paused for several minutes due to a serious head injury sustained by Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke. The player was forced to leave the field on a stretcher after a collision with Brentford's Yunus Konak.

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Following the incident, which occurred in the closing moments of stoppage time, van Hecke required medical attention, including an oxygen mask, before being carried off the pitch. The 24-year-old van Hecke was in a neck brace, while the 19-year-old Konak was also substituted but managed to leave the field on his own.

According to SunSport, van Hecke was placed in an ambulance where he continued to receive oxygen through a mask. There has been no official update from his club regarding the player's health status.