Footballers are being “let down” by the sport’s “failure to take concussion seriously”, a leading brain injury charity has said, after Napoli goalkeeper David Ospina collapsed during a Serie A game on Sunday.
Ospina, on loan at the Italian side from Arsenal, suffered a head injury during a clash with Udinese’s Ignacio Pussetto, but was bandaged up and allowed to continue, before going down again later in the game. He was taken to hospital and, on Monday, given the all clear.
Peter McCabe, chief executive of UK charity Headway, said he was “appalled” at the decision to let the Colombian play on, and fears it will take a serious injury to one of the game’s stars before attitudes change.
The incident came just days after Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes was left on the field after suffering a blow to the head in his side's Champions League tie against Barcelona, before eventually being replaced after conceding another goal.
“We are deeply shocked and appalled at these latest examples of concussion protocols not being followed in football," said McCabe.
"David Ospina's treatment is particularly concerning and highlights exactly why we've always called for an 'if in doubt, sit it out' approach to concussion.
"FIFA's protocols clearly state that if concussion is suspected - not clinically diagnosed - but suspected, the player should be removed from the field and not allowed to return.
"Both players have been badly let down and left unprotected by football's failure to take concussion seriously.
"There's a real fear that it will take a catastrophic injury to a high-profile player before any real change in attitudes is forthcoming."
Additional reporting by Press Association.
