UEFA have insisted that there wasn’t any delay in the treatment to Barnabas Varga following his injury in Hungary’s 1-0 win against Scotland.
Hungary forward Varga is stable in hospital after he reportedly broke several bones in his face following a collision with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn.
Varga was knocked unconscious following the incident and was later taken off the pitch on a stretcher, with sheets held up to prevent him from being seen.
UEFA stated that the team doctor intervened within 15 seconds of the incident occurring, with the pitchside emergency team being called upon as soon as they were requested.
A statement from UEFA read: ‘With regards to the medical intervention following the head injury suffered by Barnabas 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.
UEFA insist there wasn’t any delay in the treatment to Barnabas Varga following his injury
Varga is stable in hospital after he reportedly broke several bones in his face following a collision with Scotland goalkeeper Angus Gunn
‘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.’
Varga’s team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai raged at how medical staff walked onto the pitch following the incident.
Liverpool star Szoboszlai told Magenta TV: ‘I was one of the first people there.
‘I was shocked myself, I tried to put him on his side, which is actually the best thing you can do in situations like this. He couldn’t get enough air’
‘I have no idea what the protocol is, whether people are not allowed to run onto the pitch if we need help, but..’
Asked whether he believed the response was not fast enough, the 23-year-old continued: ‘I don’t think so.
UEFA stated that the team doctor intervened within 15 seconds of the incident occurring
‘You could see that it’s a huge problem. Everyone was running, I was running – these things add up to seconds.
‘It’s not my decision, but we have to change something about it. We have to do it faster, much faster. Everyone knows that seconds add up.’
The Hungarian Football Association released an update on Varga’s condition late on Sunday night which read: ‘Several bones in Barnabas Varga’s face were broken during the collision during the match, and he also suffered a concussion. Surgery is most likely to be expected.
‘He spends the night in the hospital in Stuttgart. The whole team is rooting for him!’
