Just Back After 430 Days Out, Chadi Riad Is Carried Off on a Stretcher

The incident occurred in the 72nd minute. As Thierno Barry prepared to shoot, Chadi Riad stretched to block the Everton attacker before collapsing. Unable to resume the match, he was carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Takehiro Tomiyasu.

In its official match report, Crystal Palace confirmed that the Moroccan player had gone off injured, without specifying the nature or severity of the injury. The club will have to await the medical examinations before knowing how long any potential absence could last.

On Bladi.net : Crystal Palace’s Chadi Riad Sidelined with New Knee Injury

The scene is particularly worrying in light of the defender’s medical history. In August 2024, a first knee injury sustained against Norwich City kept him out of competition for 104 days. He returned to the pitch in January 2025 against Stockport, before being injured again a few weeks later in training.

This time, Chadi Riad had suffered a cruciate ligament tear. This second injury kept him out for 326 days. In total, the two periods of unavailability amounted to 430 days, separated only by a brief return to competition.

The Diagnosis of the New Injury Is Still Awaited

The Atlas Lion had made his genuine return to Crystal Palace’s first team at the beginning of 2026. He had gradually regained an important place in the English defense, until being named in the starting lineup for the Conference League final won by his club.

His performances then earned him a place at the World Cup with Morocco. Crystal Palace notably praised his defensive contribution after his impressive performance with the Atlas Lions against Brazil.

On Saturday, Pierre Sage named him in the starting lineup for the opening day of the Premier League. Crystal Palace ultimately lost 2-0, with goals from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry, but the defeat quickly became secondary after the Moroccan defender went off.

On Bladi.net : Key Morocco Players Sidelined for World Cup Qualifiers Due to Injuries

At this stage, nothing indicates that Chadi Riad is suffering from a new ligament tear or a recurrence of his previous injury. Only medical examinations will determine whether this is a simple scare or another setback for the 23-year-old player.