Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Liam Prenderville

Mauricio Pochettino defends Tottenham medical staff over Jan Vertonghen treatment

Mauricio Pochettino has defended Tottenham's medical staff over their decision to let Jan Vertonghen return to the field against Ajax.

The Belgian defender suffered a heavy blow to the head during the Champions League semi-final but was given the all-clear to return to the field.

Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz spoke to Spurs' medical staff before allowing the defender to return, only for the 32-year-old to quickly go off again.

Pochettino had to put his arm around him to help keep the groggy defender up, before he was carried down the tunnel.

Spurs' medical staff have been slammed for their treatment of the player but Pochettino insists concussion protocol was followed.

The defender clashed heads with teammate Toby Alderweireld (Getty Images)

Jan Vertonghen provides nine-word injury update after suffering blow to the head

Tottenham boss Pochettino said: "I wasn't involved. I wasn't involved. It was the doctor's decision.

"I think it's so important things, the rules and the protocol are there, and our medical staff follow the protocol.

"I was never involved. The decision was the doctor and the referee asked.

"He goes in. In the next action, we need to put him out because he didn't feel well."

Jan Vertonghen of Tottenham Hotspur is given treatment (Getty Images)

Arsene Wenger suggests Mauricio Pochettino was wrong to claim his players are tired

Pochettino said the medical staff will always be the "boss" in such situations and that he would have made the change sooner had he been instructed to as a player's health is always key.

UEFA brought in new concussion procedures across all of its competitions in September 2014.

The defender appeared groggy as he made his way off (PA)

Ruud Gullit slams Dele Alli after Tottenham lose first leg to Ajax

Champions League regulations state: "Any player suffering a head injury that requires assessment for potential concussion will only be allowed to continue playing after the assessment, on specific confirmation by the team doctor to the referee of the player's fitness to do so."

Tottenham were criticised in 2013 after captain Hugo Lloris was allowed to remain on the pitch against Everton after being knocked out in a collision with Romelu Lukaku's knee.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.