Leeds United have joined the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) in calling for the Premier League to introduce temporary substitutions following Robin Koch's head injury sustained against Manchester United on Sunday.
The 25-year-old Germany international clashed heads with Scott McTominay midway through the first half and was deemed fit to continue with his head wound bandaged, but just a few minutes later the defender signalled that he felt dizzy and was forced off.
Leeds have since released a statement insisting that they followed all the necessary protocols and believed temporary substitutions should be introduced by the Premier League.
"Leeds United can confirm that following a clash of heads, Robin Koch passed all of the on-field concussion screening tests that are currently part of the Premier League protocols," a spokesperson said on their official website.
"The player was told if he developed any symptoms he should sit down on the field of play and would be substituted immediately, which is what Robin did in the 29th minute of the game.
"The medical staff at Leeds United have always been in favour of temporary substitutions for head injuries, as it would allow the staff more time to assess an injury and allow a period for symptoms to potentially develop. Robin will follow the concussion protocols before returning to play."
The PFA have also released a strongly-worded statement following Koch's head injury, which read: "The injury to Leeds United's Robin Koch demonstrates again that the current concussion protocols within football are failing to prioritise player safety. The 'if in doubt, sit them out' protocol is not being applied consistently within the pressurised environment of elite competitive football.
"We see frequent incidents of players returning to play with a potential brain injury, only to be removed shortly afterwards once symptoms visibly worsen. As the representative voice of players in England, we have been clear to The IFAB [International Football Association Board] that we want to see the introduction of temporary concussion substitutes.
"Temporary concussion substitutes will allow medical teams additional time and an appropriate environment to make an initial assessment. Introducing temporary substitutes would allow a match to restart with neither side numerically disadvantaged, reducing pressure on players and medical teams to make quick decisions on whether an injured player continues. Put simply, the current rules set by The IFAB are not working, and players are being put at risk."
Koch has since taken to Instagram to reveal that he feels "much better today" and has thanked the club's medical team for taking care of him.
Oliver Thomas
