There was controversy in England’s opening World Cup match as Iran goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand was allowed to play on despite appearing to be heavily concussed following a sickening clash of heads.
Beiranvand also looked to have his nose badly broken when he collided with his team-mate while punching clear a cross from Harry Kane early in the game.
The match was delayed for almost seven minutes as Beiranvand received treatment and Iran back-up goalkeeper Hossein Hosseini was lined up to come on and replace him.
But Beiranvand appeared to be convinced to continue by Iran captain Ehsan Hajsafi, despite appearing to be dazed and taking his gloves and shirt off after he received treatment.
Hajsafi splashed water in his face and Beiranvand played on for a minute before he collapsed to the ground and was then substituted.
Brain injury charity Headway called the incident “an utter disgrace” as the protocol for head injuries in football was thrust back into the spotlight.
Headway said: “An utter disgrace that the Iranian keeper was allowed to stay on!
“Irrelevant that he then came off a minute later - shouldn’t have stayed on for a second, let alone a minute! First test for FIFA World Cup concussion protocol - and first abject failure!”
Commentating on the game for the BBC, Jermaine Jenas called the incident “a joke when we are constantly talking about concussion and the long-term effect on players with dementia”.
Jenas said: “It should not be his call. Hajsafi is trying to get involved and telling him to stay on the pitch. He is clearly not in a good place. I do not see how this is right. It is like he is being forced to stay on, this is ridiculous.
“It is the responsibility of the medical team to make the decision. We are at a major tournament in 2022. We are constantly talking about concussion in the game and the long-term effect it has had on players with dementia, and still. It is out of order. I think it’s a joke, I really do.”
