UEFA hit back at Liverpool star Dominik Szoboszlai criticism after horror Barnabas Varga incident

UEFA has hit back at Dominik Szoboszlai after the Liverpool midfielder demanded that protocols in medical emergencies are changed following the severe injury sustained by Barnabas Varga.

The incident happened during Hungary's 1-0 Euro 2024 group win over Scotland when Szoboszlai's free-kick resulted in a collision. Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn collected the ball and collided with Varga mid-air, fracturing his cheekbone and will undergo surgery.

The striker received lengthy treatment on the pitch with players holding up sheets to protect the player. Hungarian players were then spotted urging the stretcher-bearers to get to the scene quicker with Szoboszlai grabbing the stretcher and running towards Varga.

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After the game, Szoboszlai insisted that changes must be made to the current protocols when horror incidents happen on a football pitch. "He needs some surgery on his face and his nose," he said. "I think he's going to have the surgery tomorrow (Monday). It looked bad, it was bad, he felt bad.

"I don't really know the [medical team] protocol or how it works but if our doctors say we need someone immediately to help, then I don't think they should walk. It's not my decision, but I think we need to change something. Even if somebody is on the ground, and you see that it was a big [collision], then just go on [the pitch].

"Even if the referee is saying don't go on. Just go on. And if you see it's nothing serious, then you can just go down and it's finished. Seconds can help a lot."

In response, a statement made by UEFA to the Liverpool ECHO read: "With regards to the medical intervention following the head injury suffered by Barnabás Varga of Hungary, we would like to clarify that the intervention of the team doctor happened within 15 seconds of the incident, followed immediately by the second stadium doctor, to conduct a first assessment of the injury and provide appropriate treatment, as per customary medical procedures.

"The qualified pitchside emergency team were waiting pitchside, according to their protocol, and arrived with the stretcher as soon as their intervention was requested by the medics to evacuate the player for his immediate transfer to hospital. The coordination between all the medical staff on site was professional and everything was done in accordance with the applicable medical procedures.

"There was no delay in the treatment of and assistance to the player."