Following the serious injury of Hungarian striker Barnabás Varga, UEFA is defending itself against accusations against the medical staff. Several Hungarian players complained afterwards that the paramedics entered the field too slowly, even though the player in question was obviously seriously injured. UEFA rejects this criticism. When asked, the association said there were no delays in the treatment and care of the player. The coordination between the medical staff on site was professional and “in accordance with the applicable medical procedures”.
After a collision with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn, Varga was left on the ground with serious injuries. Hungary captain Dominik Szoboszlai was the first to notice his teammate’s situation and frantically tried to call the doctors. A short time later, they entered the field and treated the player while his teammates formed a screen around him. After several minutes of treatment, Varga was taken off the field on a stretcher and fitted with a neck brace.
Szoboszlai in particular subsequently criticized the paramedics for what he considered to be a slow reaction. “I don’t know how the procedures work. But when our doctor says he needs help, it has to happen quickly. Seconds can make a big difference in a situation like this,” he said after the game’s final whistle. He and his teammate Willi Orbán then called for changes to the protocol that could speed up the actions of the medical staff in such cases.
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Following the serious injury of Hungarian striker Barnabás Varga, UEFA is defending itself against accusations against the medical staff. Several Hungarian players complained afterwards that the paramedics entered the field too slowly, even though the player in question was obviously seriously injured. UEFA rejects this criticism. When asked, the association said there were no delays in the treatment and care of the player. The coordination between the medical staff on site was professional and “in accordance with the applicable medical procedures”.
