Standard midfielder recovering after gruesome foul

BRUSSELS (AP)—Standard Liege midfielder Mehdi Carcela is recovering in the hospital with a concussion and several facial fractures after he was kicked in the head during a decisive Belgian league playoff match against Racing Genk.

 
Belgium's Standard Liege p…

AP - May 17, 3:45 pm EDT World Soccer Gallery Carcela and Chris Mavinga were chasing the ball in the first half when the Genk defender tried a high clearance. Instead of the ball, he kicked the Moroccan in the face. Carcela fell forward and lay motionless for a few minutes while medics attended to him. Mavinga received a yellow card.

Carcela was taken to a nearby hospital but since his condition was stable, doctors allowed him to transfer to a nearby Liege clinic. He is expected to be operated on next week.

Genk held on to a 1-1 draw and won the league title.