• Luka Lochoshvili honoured for actions after opponent knocked unconscious

• Award honours exemplary fair play behaviour

• Winner revealed at The Best FIFA Football Awards on 27 February 2023

Georgian footballer Luka Lochoshvili has been honoured with the FIFA Fair Play Award for his life-saving intervention during an Austrian Bundesliga match. Lochoshvili – who was playing for Wolfsberger – acted decisively after Austria Vienna’s Georg Teigl was knocked unconscious following a collision, clearing the defender’s airways after he swallowed his tongue. Thanks to Lochoshvili's actions, Tiegl regained consciousness and he was then treated at a local hospital. He has since made a full recovery.

The FIFA Fair Play Award is presented to a player, coach, team, match official, individual fan or fan group in recognition of exemplary fair play behaviour, either on or off the pitch.

Georgia international Lochoshvili, who signed for Serie A side Cremonese last August, was one of three finalists for the award.

Bayern Munich forward Sadio Mane was nominated for immediately admitting to the referee that he scored a goal with his hand in a German Bundesliga match against VfL Bochum. France and Real Madrid star Eduardo Camavinga was also a finalist. Following a match for France Under-21s against Ukraine Under-21s, he entered the opposition dressing room to offer gifts and words of support to their players in light of the conflict in their home country.

Lochoshvili was revealed as the winner at The Best FIFA Football Awards 2022™ ceremony in Paris.

"Thank you so much Luka for your quick response, your intervention may have even saved my life." Georg Teigl

“It was the most important action of the day, we are all proud of Locho [Lochoshvili] for acting with such clarity. It was an unbelievable achievement." Robin Dutt, Wolfsberger manager

“You can only congratulate Lochoshvili on his commitment and say thank you. Even if you have the [medical] training and are in such a situation, it is difficult to take responsibility." Manfred Schmid, Austria Vienna head coach at time of the incident

The winner of the FIFA Fair Play Award is selected by a panel of experts representing both FIFA and external football stakeholders. The award is presented in recognition for honourable fair play behaviour, such as;

• Playing by the rules and promoting the Laws of the Game;

• and/or respecting team-mates, opponents, match officials and/or fans;

• and/or acting against discrimination

Lionel Messi wins The Best FIFA Men's Player award Putellas wins Best FIFA Women's Player award for second year running Messi makes World 11 history as Benzema earns maiden inclusion Renard, Bronze and Morgan secure FIFPRO Women's 11 places Scaloni honoured with Best FIFA Men's Coach award England boss Wiegman wins The Best FIFA Women's Coach award Amputee football star Oleksy wins FIFA Puskás Award World Cup hero Martinez wins Best FIFA Men's Goalkeeper honour Earps wins The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper award Argentina supporters win FIFA Fan Award