Crystal Palace left-back Pape Souare was yesterday involved in a car accident on the M4 motorway near Heathrow airport in west London.

Eagles "regrettably" confirm incident in official club statement

Pictures emerged on social media this morning of what appeared to be the defender’s car smashed up on the side of the motorway. It is now understood that the Senegal international was airlifted to hospital yesterday afternoon following the incident and is currently being treated for thigh and jaw bone injuries.

The Eagles released a statement via their website earlier today to confirm the incident, saying, “(We) regret to confirm that Pape Souare was yesterday (Sunday) involved in a car accident and taken to hospital in London.”

The statement continued, “The player has sustained injuries to his thigh and jaw bone and will remain in hospital whilst he receives treatment.”

It finished, “The club are liaising closely with the hospital on his progress and we obviously wish him a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are with Pape and his family at this time.”

It is understood that the injuries suffered by Souare are not life threatening but it is unclear whether they are career threatening.

The defender signed for the club in 2015 | Photo: Crystal Palace Football Club
The defender signed for the club in 2015 | Photo: Crystal Palace Football Club

Defender did not feature against Middlesbrough

Souare did not play in the South Londoners 2-1 victory against Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon after he returned to England late from international duty.

Goals from Christian Benteke and Wilfried Zaha secured Palace’s first win of the season at the Riverside stadium, despite Daniel Ayala heading in an equaliser just before half time.

Souare has been a regular at Selhurst Park since his arrival from Lille in January 2015, making 55 appearances in all competitions. former Liverpool defender Martin Kelly filled in for the absent Souare at Middlesbrough and performed well so is likely to keep his place in the starting eleven for the foreseeable future. 

VAVEL Logo
About the author
Sam Smith
VAVEL UK sub-editor. Premier League and Football League accredited journalist.