(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 16 - An Italian footballer was saved by an opposing player after suffering an on-field heart attack at the weekend, La Nuova Ferrara newspaper reported.
    In the third-category match, Ficarolese defender Andrea Vacchi, 24, suffered cardiac arrest after a violent collision with his goalkeeper and was left choking and unconscious after swallowing his tongue.
    The opposing player, Rivarese's 37-year-old striker Federico Finotti stepped in amid general indecision to remove Vacch's tongue from his windpipe and bring him back to consciousness, saving his life before an emergency copter team flew him to hospital in Padua.
    The local council at Ariano nel Polesine said on Facebook Monday: "Today is World Kindness Day and we thank Federico Finotti with all out hearts, wishing Andrea Vacchi a swift and complete recovery." (ANSA).