A social solidarity institution for brain injuries has questioned the fact that Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson was not immediately substituted after the collision with Tottenham’s Cristian Romero.
Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola later said that the medical team had informed him that Ederson could not see properly after Romero’s leg made contact with his head.
However, Ederson played for several minutes before being replaced by Stefan Ortega, who made several important saves in a game that City won 2-0 and put them in a position to retain the Premier League title on the final day of the season, on Sunday.
Luke Griggs, CEO of the Headway brain injury charity, stated: “The fundamental principle of any concussion protocol is ‘when in doubt, sit it out.’ The concern of players from both teams in the immediate aftermath of the injury, as well as the medical team and the fact that a stretcher was brought onto the field, suggest a clear concern for Ederson’s welfare. The fact that he was not immediately withdrawn suggests that concussion was not suspected. This is hard to understand, especially as symptoms can present later.”
The player not being withdrawn immediately suggests that concussion was not suspected.
“It’s another example of when a temporary substitute for concussion would have been useful.”
The Premier League tried to trial temporary substitutes in case of concussion, but football lawmakers rejected this option in favor of additional permanent substitute tests in case of concussion, which will become a permanent option for adopting competitions from July 1.
Ederson was visibly angry after being sent off in a game that was crucial for City.
“Ederson’s furious reaction is not surprising, given the competitive nature of players who want to participate in important games like this, although his reaction underscores the need to take such decisions out of the players’ hands,” Griggs added.
Guardiola said after Tuesday’s game: “Ederson took a kick to the eye, which is swollen. He couldn’t see properly. The doctor came to me and said: ‘Pep, he can’t see properly and needs to be replaced.’ When the doctor says that, I have no choice.”