Tottenham 'irresponsible' over Hugo Lloris head injury
Tottenham have been described as "irresponsible" for allowing goalkeeper Hugo Lloris to play on against Everton after losing consciousness.
The France international, 26, suffered a head injury when he collided with Romelu Lukaku's knee late on in Sunday's game, which finished 0-0.
Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas defended the decision to let Lloris continue.
But brain injury charity Headway said the club showed an "irresponsible and cavalier attitude" to Lloris's health.
Michael DawsonTottenham captain“[Lloris] was in a bad way but by the time he came around he was wanting to stay on. He's a little bit dazed but he's a lot better.”
Initially the keeper looked set to go off on a stretcher to be replaced by Brad Friedel. Lloris was led off the field during a delay which brought nine minutes of injury time at the end of the match - but he appeared determined to continue and played on after the lengthy delay as Villas-Boas decided against making a substitution.
Headway spokesman Luke Griggs said: "When a player - or any individual - suffers a blow to the head that is severe enough for them to lose consciousness, it is vital they urgently seek appropriate medical attention.
"A physio or doctor treating a player on the pitch simply cannot accurately gauge the severity of the damage caused to the player's brain in such a setting as there may be delayed presentation of symptoms.
"By continuing to play, the player may have caused greater damage to his brain. He should have been removed from the game immediately and taken to hospital for thorough tests and observation."
Villas-Boas said: "He doesn't remember it so he lost consciousness. It was a big knock but he looked composed and ready to continue."
Talking to BBC Sport, he added: "Hugo seemed assertive and determined to continue and showed great character and personality. We decided to keep him on based on that.
"The call always belongs to me. Brad was ready to come in but the person Hugo is, there were enough signs for him to continue."
Everton striker Lukaku, who was cautioned for the challenge, had to put ice on his knee after being replaced shortly after the incident.
Fifa's chief medical officer Professor Jiri Dvorak said Lloris should have been substituted - in accordance with the governing body's guidelines.
He said: "The fact the other player needed ice on his knee means it's obvious the blow was extensive.
"It's a 99% probability that losing consciousness in such an event will result in concussion.
"I know that the Premier League doctors are extremely good and I can imagine that the doctor may have recommended he be replaced.
"We have a slogan: if there is any doubt, keep the player out."
Spurs captain Michael Dawson appeared to try to persuade Lloris to go off after the Frenchman got to his feet.
The centre-back admitted his initial feeling was that the goalkeeper should not have continued.
Dawson said: "He took a really bad whack and I was worried when he went down and stayed down. When he got up his legs gave way but he stayed on and made two good saves.
"I lead those boys but safety is the most important thing. He was in a bad way but by the time he came around he was wanting to stay on. He's a little bit dazed but he's a lot better."
Guidelines from Headway and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence state people should not play any contact sport for at least three weeks after suffering a concussion.
Griggs added: "Sports science has evolved significantly over the past decade and yet we're still faced with the antiquated concept that a player should be brave and try to continue at all costs. Mr Villas-Boas's comment that his player's determination to play on was proof of his 'great character and personality' is simply wrong and dangerous."
In rugby union, Dr Barry O'Driscoll resigned from his role as medical advisor to the International Rugby Board in October following concerns about the treatment of concussion.
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