Allan ‘to miss’ Corinthians match at Independiente Santa Fe due to genetic condition | OneFootball

Corinthians arrived in Bogotá for Wednesday’s Libertadores group match against Independiente Santa Fe, but 29-year-old midfielder Allan did not travel because of a medical condition. ge.globo first reported the decision to omit him.

Allan has sickle cell trait. This is not an illness, it is a genetic condition in which a person inherits one normal haemoglobin A gene and one haemoglobin S gene linked to sickle cell anaemia.

The condition is usually asymptomatic, yet in athletes certain stressors can cause problems, notably altitude. Bogotá sits at 2,600 metres above sea level and playing there could heighten risks such as dehydration, hyperthermia, acidosis and disrupted blood oxygenation.

For that reason the coaching staff opted against his involvement in this fixture. While at Flamengo he was also rested for a Libertadores tie away to Bolívar in La Paz in 2024, with the city at 3,600 metres. He has, however, played at altitude for Atlético-MG, including against Independiente del Valle in Sangolquí, Ecuador, at 2,500 metres in 2022, and against Millonarios in Bogotá in 2023.

Without Allan, Corinthians will seek a fourth straight Group E win, which would secure early passage to the last 16. Depending on the result between Argentina’s Platense and Uruguay’s Peñarol, a draw in Colombia could also be enough.

Source: Meu Timao