The Quiet Doctor Who Stole the Spotlight with FIFA’s Fair Play Award
16 December 2025
Overview
Dr. Andreas Harlas-Neuking, a German sports medicine physician, has served as the team doctor for SSV Jahn Regensburg since 1995. In 2025, he earned FIFA's Fair Play Award for an act off the pitch that embodied the spirit of the game.
What happened on the day
During a 2. Bundesliga match in Magdeburg between Regensburg and Magdeburg, a fan collapsed in the stands. Hearing the commotion, Harlas-Neuking rushed to the scene, jumped over a barrier, and immediately began reviving the spectator.
He also ensured the fan’s condition remained stable for transfer to a local hospital, demonstrating decisive, life-saving action beyond the touchline.
Recognition and legacy
FIFA’s Fair Play Award honors exemplary conduct inside or outside the stadium. The winner is chosen by a panel of FIFA experts along with external football bodies, recognizing behavior that reflects the values of fair play.
Dr. Harlas-Neuking’s swift intervention not only saved a life but also reminded everyone that fair play extends beyond goals and assists.
Punchline 1: If only all medical emergencies came with a whistle and a touchline, football would be safer and funnier.
Punchline 2: He sprinted, saved a fan, and still left room for a victory lap—talk about multitasking, doctor style.
