Jan Vertonghen suffers horrific head injury as questions raised over concussion protocols
Questions were being asked of Tottenham's medical staff after defender Jan Vertonghen was initially allowed to play on following a clash of heads in the Champions League semi-final, before then having to be helped from the field.
The incident, which happened in the first half of Tottenham's match with Ajax, provoked outcry on social media with Taylor Twellman, whose playing career in the United States ultimately ended because of the lingering impact of a serious concussion, among those tweeting that Vertonghen should not have been allowed back on the field after the clash of heads.
It was actually from a clash with his own teammate that Vertonghen picked up the injury, challenging for a header in the Ajax area on 32 minutes but slamming his face into the back of Toby Alderweireld's head, leaving him with blood pouring from a cut on his nose.
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Vertonghen received treatment on the field and went to change his bloodied white jersey before returning to the game.
But his return was only brief as he signalled to the bench, leaning over and struggling to stand before two medical officials rushed to his rescue to escort him down the tunnel.
Belgian referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz had initially consulted Tottenham's medical team to check whether the Belgiam was fit to return to the pitch but the player looked clearly groggy, retching violently on the touchline after being substituted for Moussa Sissoko.
Tottenham were already trailing to Donny van de Beek's goal on 15 minutes but the pause in play allowed the team to regroup with Sissoko's introduction bringing more control in midfield.
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