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The decision to allow French international and Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to continue playing after he lost consciousness in an English Premier League Match has been severely condemned by the FIFPro the worldwide representative organisation of professional football players. This decision is unacceptable, says FIFPro Medical Advisor Vincent Gouttebarge: 'FIFPro condemns that the health and safety of players are let to coaches/trainers or even to players themselves. Medical professionals should be aware of any relevant medical guidelines and apply them in order to empower the health and safety on the field. The health and safety of the players should be the number one priority and should prevail against any other matters.' Andres Vilas-Boas and Tottenham Hotspurs have also faced vehement criticism from brain injury organisation Headway, FIFA and the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) who all felt that the player shouldn't have continued. PFA and the FIFPro felt that there's need for change in current guidelines.
Current FA guidelines on head injuries
Medical Regulations. 2.7
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All clubs shall ensure that any player having left the field of play with a head injury shall not be allowed to resume playing or training without the clearance of a qualified medical practitioner. The same provision shall apply where a head injury is sustained in training.
'If anyone suffers severe trauma to the head and loses consciousness, they should be required to leave the field,' the PFA's John Bramall told BBC Sport. Bramall added: 'It is important to take the pressure off the players, club medical staff, and the manager - removing the need for them to make a very difficult decision. The PFA will continue to work with the stakeholders within the game, to evaluate what guidelines are currently in place and to see if and how they need to be improved.'
Tottenham stands by decision
Tottenham responded to the criticism by saying the medical staff were 'totally satisfied that he was fit to continue' and a CT scan showed that no damage was done. Tottenham said in a statement: 'The club can confirm that Hugo Lloris underwent a precautionary CT scan and was given the all-clear and travelled back to London last night.'The France goalkeeper suffered a knock to the head following a collision with Everton forward Romelu Lukaku in the closing stages of yesterday's Premier League encounter at Goodison Park and was cleared to resume playing after examination by the club's medical team.'
Governing body FIFA also waded into the controversy with chief medical office Professor Jiri Dovak saying that according to FIFA guidelines, Lloris should have been substituted. He said: 'The fact the other player needed ice on his knee means it's obvious the blow was extensive. It's a 99 per cent probability that losing consciousness in such an event will result in concussion.'
'I know that the Premier League doctors are extremely good and I can imagine that the doctor may have recommended he be replaced. 'We have a slogan: if there is any doubt, keep the player out.' Guidelines from Headway and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence state people shouldn't play any contact sport for at least three weeks after suffering a concussion.
Guidelines from Headway and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence state people should not play any contact sport for at least three weeks after suffering a concussion. Griggs added: 'Sports science has evolved significantly over the past decade and yet we're still faced with the antiquated concept that a player should be brave and try to continue at all costs. Mr Villas-Boas' comments that his player's determination to play on was proof of his 'great character and personality' is simply wrong and dangerous.'
Know your medical terms: Concussion
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that alters the way your brain functions. It can be caused by not only an injury to the head but also if the person's head or upper body has been shaken violently. A concussion may result in loss of consciousness in some cases, but not everybody loses consciousness because of a concussion. That is why lots of people suffer from concussions and don't realize it.
Concussions are common if you play contact sports like Football or Rugby, but it is important to remember that every time you have a concussion, you are damaging a part of your brain. That is why it is important to give your body enough time to rest and heal properly. The brighter side is that most mild concussions are easy to recover from.
Symptoms of a concussion:
Because of the nature of the injury, most people don't realize they have had a concussion, but even so, there are a few common symptoms:
In case of children, the common symptoms are irritability, listlessness, change in eating or sleeping patterns, lack of interest in playing and unsteady gait.
In case your child has hurt his/her head, it is important you visit the doctor, whether it is an emergency or not.
In the case of adults, you should see a doctor if the person has persistent vomiting, has been unconscious for more than 1 minute, shows change in his/her physical coordination, slurring of speech, vision disturbances, lasting or recurrent dizziness.
Lastly, if a person has suffered a concussion, it is important that he/she should not participate in high intensity activities like sports, etc. till they fully recover.
With inputs by Pavitra Sampath
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