Fears Robin van Persie ‘will never see again’

Former Arsenal and Manchester United striker clashed innocuously with opponent while playing for Fenerbahce against Akhisar this afternoon.

ROBIN VAN PERSIE has suffered a horrific eyelid injury while playing for Fenerbache this afternoon – amid fears he could have lost his eyesight.

The former Arsenal and Manchester Unitedstriker clashed innocuously after 37 minutes with a defender for Akhisar Belediyespor in his side’s 3-1 victory.

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Van Persie clashed innocuously with an Akhisar defender in the penalty area

Van Persie had already put the Turkish giants 1-0 up against Akhisar Belediyespor after 26 minutes, but was then taken off 13 minutes later on a stretcher with a bandage over a bloodied left eye.

Reports from Turkey say that surgery will be required on the striker, with fans fearing he may not be able to see out of his left eye having been taken to hospital – although the prognosis appears promising.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, images flooded social media showing Van Persie being carried off the field at the Manisa 19 Mayis Stadium with a bloodied face.

Live footage was shown of RVP being taken outside of the stadium to an ambulance that apparently took 15 minutes to arrive.

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The former Arsenal striker lies in the tunnel with a patch over his injured

But Fenerbahce doctor Burak Kunduracıoğl seemed to quash fears, saying in a statement: "He was blown in his position, torn in his eyelid and bleeding. After the first intervention, we sent an ophthalmologist to the hospital to intervene.

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Reports say the ambulance took 15 minutes to arrive at the stadium, with a stricken RVP waiting on a stretcher

REUTERS

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RVP greets his former Manchester United teammates in Istanbul earlier this week

"After the investigations we learned that nothing important happened. We survived and waited for the ambulance."

Van Persie did not play a part for his sidewhen former club Manchester United came to Istanbul last week as they ran out 2-1 winners over Jose Mourinho's side.