It was ridiculous that Fabian Schar was allowed to carry on playing for Switzerland after he reportedly had been knocked unconscious for a full four minutes in the game against Georgia over the weekend.
The Newcastle medics were alarmed at what happened, and we’re sure they have let the Swiss Football Association know about their concerns.
Now we have a brain-injury charity Headway demanding that UEFA investigate why Schar was allowed by the Swiss doctor to return to the field of play after being knocked unconscious.
They question why the protocols laid out for when a player is knocked unconscious during a game were not followed.
He should not have been allowed back onto the field.
He collided and hit heads with Tabidze, and both players received extensive treatment on the pitch before both players carried on playing.
Fabian Schar – knocked out cold over the weekend playing for Switzerland
We would be very surprised if Switzerland have Schar in the squad for their home Euro qualifier against Denmark tomorrow, but you never know.
Schar admitted after the game that he was unconscious “for a few seconds”, and could not remember what happened and that his neck was very sore.
And he said his skull was still “humming” after the game as a result of the terrible but accidental collision between the two players after 24 minutes of the game.
Chief executive of Headway, Peter McCabe has said this:
“What is it going to take to make football take concussion seriously?”
“How many more players will have their careers and, more importantly, their lives and long-term health put at risk by the sport’s inability to follow its own protocols?”
“Put simply, the decision to allow Fabian Schar to return to the field of play after suffering a clear concussion was not only incredibly dangerous but also a clear dereliction of duty.”
“The player’s comments after the match are also deeply disturbing, and again show the lack of awareness and understanding among players.”
“UEFA must immediately launch an investigation into the incident and explain why their protocols were not followed.”
There’s some real leadership there from Headway – well said, Peter McCabe.
But why have we not heard from UEFA about what happened?
Silence amounts to saying it was OK for Fabian Schar to carry on after being unconscious for 4 minutes?
Those that run the game of football have to protect the fitness of their players, and there are too many NFL players in the US who suffer terribly from brain injuries as they grow older.
The medical proof is there that concussions can be dangerous if players are allowed to play on as though nothing happened – as they used to in days gone by.
In general, FIFA must protect the players that play the game around the world.
Comments welcome.
12 comments so far
martoon
Mar 25, 2019 at 2:16 PM
Comment #1Ed’s headline is spot on – why isn’t UEFA all over this and not a charity. They are quick enough to take action when there’s crowd trouble in Britain!
Optimistic Panda
Mar 25, 2019 at 2:26 PM
Comment #2Is Colback on a rolling contract?
Hes been in his last year for 3 years.
Just get rid, give him a free.
Tsunki
Mar 25, 2019 at 2:34 PM
Comment #3The problem with a concussion is that it’s not simply a headache that once it’s gone it’s ok. In simple terms, there is the likelihood that another (not necessarily as severe) head impact will exacerbate the first injury and if this happens is exponentially more difficult to bring under control and many times even leads straight to death, do not pass go, do not collect etc… Not a nice thing, Death. He would certainly be forced to sit out a few games if he caught that. 😐
Tsunki
Mar 25, 2019 at 2:36 PM
Comment #4Hit the road Jack, and doncha come back no mo’ no mo’ no mo’ no mo’…..
Tsunki
Mar 25, 2019 at 2:37 PM
Comment #5It shouldn’t take a brain surgeon to figure….ermm…
chicousa
Mar 25, 2019 at 2:38 PM
Comment #6OP
I was thinking the same thing….It’s like the movie Groundhog Day every spring when we find out we are still stuck with Ginger Jack for another year! 😉
(Saivet as well!)
Optimistic Panda
Mar 25, 2019 at 2:49 PM
Comment #7Chico
He’s like the clap, cant get rid..
Bad penny and all that
NY Mag
Mar 25, 2019 at 2:50 PM
Comment #8Op / Chico,
He’s desperately clinging to his contract for as long as he can (don’t blame him TBH).
Wouldn’t expect him to leave this summer either…
Optimistic Panda
Mar 25, 2019 at 2:55 PM
Comment #9NY
I know what you’re saying but I cant get my head round the fact that Jack is no use but still has a contract, Rafa is brilliant for us and has no contract.
Who ever gave him the contract should also go.
It would be a huge kick in the balls if that Ginger twat was here next year but Rafa wasn’t.
My head would explode!
chicousa
Mar 25, 2019 at 3:05 PM
Comment #10Yeah I get it, he has Colback has a nice fat contract that makes him unable to be sold as no other team would pay him the same amount. But I am pretty sure that I have read reports for the past few seasons that his contract would end in a year. So obviously some incorrect reporting re: the length of his onorous contract.
I guess we should be happy that Forrest is at least paying part of his wages…
NY Mag
Mar 25, 2019 at 3:07 PM
Comment #11I don’t like the situation….but I have to say if I was in his shoes (boots) – I would do exactly the same 🙂
chicousa
Mar 25, 2019 at 3:10 PM
Comment #12Briefly read back over the past few days posts and saw Jib’s link to the Jonathan Pie rant video below. Not sure if you lads find it as humorous as I did or is it just all too painfully true…?
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-IL2XwSkFJQ