Inter Milan questioned for keeping De Vrij on despite blow to the head

‘Where’s the thought process in protecting the players?’: Dean Ashton questions why Stefan de Vrij played on despite head injury for Inter Milan against Liverpool… as the talkSPORT commentator calls for a ‘culture change’

• Inter Milan defender Stefan de Vrij suffered a blow to the head after 30 minutes
• De Vrij continued, later dropped back to the deck, but was kept on still 
• Dean Ashton has questioned Inter Milan for keeping the Dutch defender on
• Football fans have taken to social media to question concussion protocols  

Inter Milan have been questioned for their decision to let defender Stefan de Vrij play on during their Champions League clash with Liverpool.

Football’s attitude towards head injuries has again come into question after the game was paused on the half hour mark with the Dutch defender requesting treatment following a blow to the head.

De Vrij was treated with an ice bag on his head but was ushered back onto the pitch by manager Simeone Inzaghi with the player also keen to continue.

Stefan de Vrij suffered a blow to the head during the first-half for Inter Milan against Liverpool

De Vrij later went back down to the deck but was twice ushered back onto the pitch

He then hit the deck again before half-time was again allowed to continue.

There was some suspicion he could be replaced for the second-half but De Vrij returned to the pitch. 

Dean Ashton, on commentary for talkSPORT, hit out at the decision to let him play on.

He said: ‘I watched the rugby union on the weekend, there are people in the stands, they watch a video – if there’s been a head clash, you’re off!

‘There’s no ‘ifs’ or ‘buts’ or ‘do you want to carry on?’ De Vrij is still adamant he wants to carry on. He’ll want to play in such a big game. As a team, you don’t want to be without your best players.

Despite suffering a blow to the head, the Dutch defender played on during the second-half

‘But, come on, where’s the thought process in protecting the players?’

He added: ‘You could see De Vrij was waving his hand in front of his face as if he’s got blurred vision or a bit of dizziness. Surely that tells you enough that there’s something not quite right?

‘There is this issue we have in football, about whether the player is adamant about carrying on, rather than taking it out of their hands. I don’t like to see it.

He continued: ‘There has to be a big culture change. We’ve got to look out for the welfare of the players, rather than how important the rest of this half is.’

The decision was also questioned by several football supporters on social media.

Gary Bernard tweeted: ‘How has De Vrij been aloud out for the second half �� Boys clearly got a concussion!!’

Another Twitter user posted: ‘I wonder what type of concussion rules Inter have. That guy should be off the field.’

Geraint Blackwell tweeted: ‘Concussion protocol in football is a disgrace,’ while Ollie Glanville commented: ‘De Vrij has had treatment twice for blurred vision which he’s indicated twice. Concussion protocols where?’

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