‘They are scared to be banned from doing their job… they can be sued’: Arsene Wenger sympathises with Tottenham medical team after Jan Vertonghen tries to play on despite gruesome head injury
- Jan Vertonghen was left bloodied after first-half collision with Ajax goalkeeper
- Tottenham defender required treatment but insisted on returning to the field
- But moments later, it became clear Vertonghen was unwell and needed to go off
- It was suggested that Belgian was suffering from the effects of concussion
- Wenger said the Spurs medical team wouldn’t have taken any chances
Arsene Wenger has expressed sympathy for Tottenham’s medical team after defender Jan Vertonghen didn’t immediately leave the field after suffering concussion during Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final.
The Tottenham defender went up for a header with team-mate Toby Alderweireld and Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana midway through the first-half.
He was left lying prone on the ground in an awkward position, with blood pouring from a cut on his nose.
Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana (right) took ball and all in an aerial collision with Tottenham defenders Jan Vertonghen (back) and Toby Alderweireld (left)
Vertonghen had to receive medical treatment after an ugly clash midway through the half
The impact of the incident was immediately clear as the swelling appeared on his face
Vertonghen received medical treatment first in the Ajax penalty area and then on the sidelines before changing his bloodied shirt and being allowed to continue.
But almost straight away, Vertonghen signalled to the Spurs bench that he needed to be replaced.
He appeared dizzy and even appeared to retch as he was helped from the field by two physios as it became apparent he may be suffering from concussion.
It sparked a debate over whether Tottenham’s medical team had followed the correct procedure for when players suffer concussion.
But former Arsenal manager Wenger, speaking on beINSPORTS, offered insight into the often difficult decisions medical teams have to make.
He said: ‘I have spoken a lot about that with my doctor before. They can be suspended, they can be sued. Don’t think that is superficial, it is a really important thing.
Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger (right) was speaking on beINSPORTS alongside Ruud Gullit and Marcel Desailly during Tuesday night’s Champions League semi-final
‘They have tests, they have conferences, they are told the protocol. It is really strict rules and they are scared to be banned from doing their job when they make the wrong decision like that.
‘I don’t take that lightly at all, the doctors are today really well educated to deal with head problems.’
But after the final whistle of Ajax’s 1-0 win, Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino was adamant everything was above board.
‘I wasn’t involved in the decision (to let him play on) that was the doctor’s decision,’ the manager said.
‘The medical staff followed the protocol and I was never involved.
There were serious fears about Vertonghen’s safety as he lay in an awkward position
There was a lengthy delay at Tottenham’s new stadium as Vertonghen received treatment
Mauricio Pochettino put an arm around Vertonghen as he hobbled to the sidelines
There will be plenty of concerns that the centre-back may be out for a long time
‘But now he is okay he is walking away and more relaxed. I hope it is not a big issue, we will keep watching him because it was a big knock.
‘We must protect the player. I worried for him – that’s normal. Your priority is the health of the player.’
Vertonghen was given two stitches to his nose and was allowed to travel home with his family as the club insisted he passed the concussion tests and showed no loss of consciousness.
