SUBS CALL AFTER JIMENEZ CLASH
CALLS for concussion substitutes in football intensified last night after the sickening clash involving Wolves striker Raul Jimenez and Arsenal’s David Luiz.
Jimenez required surgery for a fractured skull after their clash of heads at the Emirates Stadium but it was the decision to allow Luiz to play on following the collision which sparked renewed calls for a review of the way the issue of head injuries is handled.
Arsenal insist they followed the correct protocols but former Tottenham and Hull midfielder Ryan Mason, who was forced to retire after suffering a serious head injury in 2016, said the current approach was not working.
‘It’s pretty clear five minutes on the side of the pitch while there is pressure to get the game restarted isn’t enough to see if someone’s concussed or not,’ he said.
Ederson, the Manchester City goalkeeper who suffered a head injury when colliding with Liverpool’s Sadio Mane in 2017, backed the introduction of concussion substitutes, insisting a player is not the right person to assess whether they can continue. ‘When there is a blow to the head there should be a substitution, whether the player can continue or not,’ said the Brazilian.
And Watford captain Troy Deeney attracted criticism for suggesting yesterday players know best about whether they are able to play on. ‘How many things have already been taken away from players,’ said the Hornets striker. ‘At some point there has to be an element of trust between player and doctor.’
Football’s law-making body the International Football Association Board (Ifab) is later this month set to approve trials of an additional permanent substitution in cases of suspected concussion. However, brain injury charity Headway insists temporary substitutes would be more effective, reducing the possibility of players disguising symptoms in order to play on.
‘If they know they are going to go off permanently, are they going to be honest with the medics?’ said Headway deputy chief executive Luke Griggs.
‘It’s just flawed, and if we do go for the system Ifab is currently talking about we’re really concerned absolutely nothing will change.’
WOLVES striker Raul Jimenez is in a ‘comfortable’ condition in hospital after requiring surgery for a fractured skull suffered in his sickening clash of heads with Arsenal’s David Luiz.
The 29-year-old Mexican (pictured) received oxygen and lengthy treatment on the Emirates Stadium pitch on Sunday before being taken to hospital.
Wolves released an update on Jimenez’s condition yesterday morning, saying: ‘ Raul is comfortable following an operation last night, which he underwent in a London hospital.
‘He has since seen his partner Daniela and is now resting. He will remain under observation for a few days while he begins his recovery.
‘The club would like to thank the Arsenal medical staff, the NHS paramedics, hospital staff and surgeons who, through their skill and early response, were of such help. The club ask that Raul and his family are now afforded a period of space and privacy, before any further updates are provided in due course.’ Wolves captain Conor Coady, who was closest to the clash, said: ‘I jumped with him and you hear it, and as they dropped...obviously he was on his side and it was important we kept him on his side. It’s something we never want to see, with one of our team-mates or anybody.’
Given the severity of the fifth-minute incident, Wolves showed great character to win 2-1, a result England defender Coady quickly dedicated to Jimenez.
‘To come here and win is a fantastic result, because when you come to the
Emirates you don’t often get results. It’s huge for us,’ he said.
‘Looking at the performance, I feel like we did quite well. I thought the lads were fantastic from start to finish.
‘We had to dig in at the end but we knew we were going to have to with a goal advantage. The result and performance were fantastic, we’re made up with it, but let’s just hope Raul’s alright.’