- Melbourne superstar returns to hospital for surgery
- Petracca was admitted to hospital with appendicitis.
- The illness is not related to his injuries last month.
Melbourne star Christian Petracca faces another “traumatic challenge” off the field as he undergoes surgery to remove his appendix.
Petracca, who was already sidelined for the remainder of the AFL season, was admitted to hospital on Saturday night with appendicitis.
The 28-year-old appeared in good spirits and his girlfriend Bella Beischer posted a photo of the Premier League star in hospital with the caption “still smiling”.
The Demons said the illness was not related to the injuries to his spleen, lungs and ribs that Petracca sustained in the on-field collision that sidelined him last month.
“Christian experienced increased abdominal pain yesterday and was admitted to hospital where he was diagnosed with appendicitis,” Demons football manager Alan Richardson said in a statement on Sunday.
‘As a result, he will undergo surgery today (Sunday) to remove his appendix.
‘It’s obviously a very stressful time for Christian, Bella and their families, who have already been through a lot over the past month, and our focus is on providing them with as much love and support as possible.
Christian Petracca (pictured) is facing another health setback and will undergo surgery to remove his appendix.
Petracca’s season ended due to a terrible injury that forced him to be rushed to hospital for surgery.
“It is a testament to Christian’s character that he continues to face these traumatic challenges with such a positive attitude.”
Petracca has been sidelined since Melbourne’s loss to Collingwood on June 10, when he took an accidental knock to the knee from Magpies captain Darcy Moore.
Petracca suffered a lacerated spleen, a punctured lung and four broken ribs in the collision.
The Demons were criticised for allowing the prolific midfielder back onto the pitch that day but fiercely defended their medical staff following the incident.
Petracca and coach Simon Goodwin have publicly defended the club’s doctors, who have been cleared of any wrongdoing by the AFL.