Uefa urged to investigate after Newcastle ace Schar carries on despite being KO’d during Switzerland match
Brain injury charity Headway is furious after the defender was allowed to keep playing when he felt his 'skull still humming' following a sickening clash of heads with Georgia's Tabidze
A BRAIN injury charity have demanded a Uefa probe after Fabian Schar played on for Switzerland despite being knocked unconscious.
The Newcastle defender, 27, suffered a sickening clash of heads with Georgia’s Jemal Tabidze in Saturday’s Euro 2020 qualifier.
Schar received emergency help from opponent Jano Ananidze, who freed his airway to stop him swallowing his tongue.
Amazingly, after treatment, the Swiss star was allowed to finish the game, and later admitted: “I can’t remember anything. My skull is still humming.”
But Headway are furious that Schar was not substituted, describing it as a “dereliction of duty”, while Newcastle also want answers from Switzerland staff.
INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS
Headway’s chief executive Peter McCabe said: “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.”
Following chats with Newcastle, Switzerland have now withdrawn Schar from their squad for Tuesday's game with Denmark.
Swiss team doctor Dr Damian Meli said: "Returning after such a collision takes some time.
"It usually takes a few days, a time that is missing between the two games against Georgia and Denmark."
A Swiss FA statement added: "He has been spared for medical considerations after his fierce clash against Georgia."
Schar will now return to Newcastle, who will further assess the centre-half, although he is suspended for Monday night's game at Arsenal.
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Uefa protocols around head injuries are different to Premier League rules.
Euro 2020 regulations state that a player can continue if he has been passed fit by a doctor.
But in the Prem, if there is a suspected concussion, a player must be removed from the pitch and is not allowed to return to action for at least six days.
