Family of Brit footballer, 16, fighting for life after being found ‘lifeless’ in Swedish pool launch GoFundMe appeal
A BRITISH teenager is fighting for his life after being found “lifeless” at the bottom of a swimming pool in Sweden.
Known only as Sajawal, from West London, was competing in a youth football tournament at Nolhaga Parkbad in Allingsås when he was pulled from the water on Friday.
The boy’s family say he is in a coma and are appealing for an intervention from the British government, with the hospital allegedly pushing to switch off his life support.
A GoFundMe has been created by his cousin Ravleen Arora to help with the medical costs, as well flying the 16-year-old back to the UK.
So far, more than £10,000 of the £20,000 target has been met.
According to the GoFundMe, the family is in contact with neurologists and “are doing everything they can to locate hospitals in the UK willing to take Sajawal.”
Pool staff administered CPR on the 16-year-old before he was flown by helicopter to Sahlgrenska hospital in Gothenburg, around 25 miles north-east.
Ravleen has also launched a Change.com petition, asking for the British government to intervene. It has received more than 1,600 signatures
She said in the online petition: “His fate now hinges on the life support that is helping him sustain, which is, regrettably, under threat of being turned off by the Swedish hospital he is in.”
She added: “This situation is distressing to his loved ones, and we believe swift action from the British government can help.
“To achieve this, we request the UK government to exert diplomatic pressure on Sweden to reevaluate their decision, ensuring they consider Sajawal’s best interests, alongside medical judgment.
“Time is of the essence in saving Sajawal’s life.”
Sajawal is described as “energetic, vivacious, and full of youthful dreams”.
Sajawal was playing for one of 128 English teams sent over to Sweden for this year’s Gothia Cup, which sees almost 2,000 teams from 80 nations compete.
Niklas Ehnfors, head of communications at Allingsås council, said the teenager had been spotted and pulled out of the water by Swedish players who were also in the pool, reports Metro.
He added: “In the meantime, staff were called who could establish that he was lifeless – he was not breathing and had no pulse. CPR was started, which continued until paramedics arrived at the scene.”
Spokesperson for the tournament, Malin Fahlén said staff were “extremely concerned and saddened” by events.
He said: “Now we will try to focus all our resources to support and care in the best way.”
Police are investigating Friday’s incident at the swimming pool, which was evacuated and shuttered for the weekend.
It is the second year running that a teenager has drowned in the pool during the tournament in Sweden.
The Sun has contacted FCDO for comment.
