Thursday 2 May 2019 18:59, UK
Tottenham’s Jan Vertonghen did not suffer concussion during Tuesday's Champions League semi final first leg clash against Ajax, the club have confirmed.
The Belgium defender was left bloodied after a collision with team-mate Toby Alderweireld while attempting to beat Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana to the ball in the first-half of the 1-0 defeat.
And although he briefly returned to the action, it soon became apparent Vertonghen would not be able to continue and he later retched on the side of the pitch and had to be helped down the tunnel, barely able to walk unaided.
But a review by medical staff and independent neurologist today has concluded that he did not suffer a concussion.
A statement read: "Following a thorough review over the past 48 hours by our medical staff as well as by an independent neurologist with special interest in sport-related concussion today, it has been concluded Jan Vertonghen did not suffer a concussion during Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg against Ajax.
"The Belgium defender suffered an injury to his nose due to a challenge during the game which resulted in heavy bleeding.
"He was deemed fit to continue playing after an on-field assessment. All Football Association concussion guidelines were followed.
"Jan was immediately withdrawn as a result of the player informing medical staff symptoms were developing suddenly and that he no longer felt stable standing up.
"We have been advised that this was the result of a presyncopal episode, a near faint.
"The specialist has recommended that the player undertakes a brief period of rehabilitation before returning to training."
Nevertheless, the decision to allow Vertonghen to come back on the field sparked a debate about concussion protocol with many calling on the proposal of a temporary substitute to accommodate 10-minute head injury assessments.
