Mallorca keeper Iván Cuéllar hospitalised after decorative structure collapses on him at training-ground canteen

Cuéllar struck while having breakfast ahead of scheduled training

Palma de Mallorca: Real Mallorca have revealed that veteran goalkeeper Iván "Pichu" Cuéllar suffered a serious head injury on Monday after a large piece of decoration collapsed on top of him inside the dining room of the club's training complex.

Falling structural debris leaves staff shaken

The club explained exactly how the freak accident unfolded during its routine pre-session activities. In their official announcement released shortly afterwards, officials described what took place and stressed that medical care had begun immediately despite the fright of those present at the facility.

“This morning, Iván 'Pichu' Cuéllar suffered a serious head injury after a large structure, which formed part of the decor in the dining room at the Ciutat Esportiva, collapsed,” the club said in a statement. “The player has been taken to hospital for treatment and will remain under observation for the next 24 hours.”

In preliminary updates circulated through Catalan media later in the day, reporters relayed that doctors treating Cuéllar do not believe there are longer-term health consequences stemming from the blow to his head.

Squad hit hard weeks into competitive season

Matters could hardly come at a worse moment for a side navigating its early fixtures without anyone else at peak availability between the posts. Head coach Luis García now faces a squeeze on numbers heading toward Saturday evening kickoff against promotion rivals Andorra away.